Metallic Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Nanocatalysts for Energy Conversion

• Published in: Chem Vol. 4; no. 7; pp. 1510 - 1537
• Main Authors: Li, Haoyi, Jia, Xiaofan, Zhang, Qi, Wang, Xun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 12.07.2018
• Subjects: enhanced electrical conductivity; hydrogen evolution; metallic TMDC nanomaterials; proliferated catalytic active sites; SDG7: Affordable and clean energy; water splitting; hydrogen evolution; proliferated catalytic active sites; water splitting; SDG7: Affordable and clean energy; metallic TMDC nanomaterials; enhanced electrical conductivity
• ISSN: 2451-9294; 2451-9294
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2018.03.012

Metallic transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanomaterials have emerged as highly active and robust catalysts for energy conversion from renewable electricity or solar energy to fuels via electrochemical or solar-driven water-splitting technologies. Possessing intriguing electronic and catalytic properties, this category of materials based on earth-abundant elements is increasingly being explored and developed for practical applications. This review provides in-depth insights into recent progress regarding electrocatalysis and photocatalysis using metallic TMDC nanomaterials. After the introduction and fundamental illustration of the structures and extraordinary properties, we discuss the significant developments in synthetic methodologies and energy conversion applications with significant strategies for enhancing catalytic performance. Several personal perspectives on the opportunities and challenges in this promising realm are discussed in the conclusion. [Display omitted] Comprehensive investigation of metallic transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanocatalysts has surged in recent years because of their appealing electronic and catalytic properties. The excellent inherent catalytic activity makes these catalysts promising alternatives to noble-metal-based catalysts for facilitating energy conversion processes, especially for hydrogen evolution via electrochemical and solar-driven water splitting. The significant achievements can lead to sustainable energy conversion based on the large-scale deployment of earth-abundant catalysts. This review focuses mainly on the progress in TMDC nanomaterials as catalysts for energy conversion. We demonstrate the key advances in synthetic methodologies and electrocatalytic and solar-driven water-splitting applications, especially innovative approaches to improving catalytic performance. The opportunities and challenges for the future development of metallic TMDC catalysts are also discussed. Electrochemical or photoelectrochemical water splitting is an environmentally friendly technology for H2 production to replace fossil fuels for industrial and social utilization of energy. Metallic transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanomaterials are significantly promising for applications in practical catalysis of water splitting to replace state-of-the-art noble-metal-based catalysts. High intrinsic activity and remarkable conductivity are the main advantages of these materials. Structural and compositional design can also be used to improve the catalytic performance.