Multi-functional layered double hydroxides supported by nanoporous gold toward overall hydrazine splitting

Abstract

Layered double hydroxides have demonstrated great potential for the oxygen evolution reaction, which is a crucial half-reaction of overall water splitting. However, it remains challenging to apply layered double hydroxides in other electrochemical reactions with high efficiency and stability. Herein, we report two-dimensional multifunctional layered double hydroxides derived from metal-organic framework sheet precursors supported by nanoporous gold with high porosity, which exhibit appealing performances toward oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions, hydrazine oxidation reaction, and overall hydrazine splitting. The as-prepared catalyst only requires an overpotential of 233 mV to reach 10 mA·cm^–2 toward oxygen evolution reaction. The overall hydrazine splitting cell only needs a cell voltage of 0.984 V to deliver 10 mA·cm^–2, which is far more superior than that of the overall water splitting system (1.849 V). The appealing performances of the catalyst can be contributed to the synergistic effect between the metal components of the layered double hydroxides and the supporting effect of the nanoporous gold substrate, which could endow the sample with high surface area and excellent conductivity, resulting in superior activity and stability.

Key words： layered double hydroxide; oxygen evolution reaction; hydrazine oxidation reaction; overall hydrazine splitting; hydrogen production

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51971157 and 22075211), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant Nos. JCYJ20210324115412035, JCYJ20210324123202008, JCYJ20210324122803009 and ZDSYS20210813095534001), Guangdong Foundation for Basic and Applied Basic Research Program (Grant No. 2021A1515110880).

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-023-2373-1 and is accessible for authorized users.

References

1 Han A , Wang B , Kumar A , Qin Y , Jin J , Wang X , Yang C , Dong B , Jia Y , Liu J . . Recent advances for MOF-derived carbon-supported single-atom catalysts. Small Methods, 2019, 3(9): 1800471

2 Wang H F , Chen L , Pang H , Kaskel S , Xu Q . MOF-derived electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions. Chemical Society Reviews, 2020, 49(5): 1414–1448

3 Kang Y , Cretu O , Kikkawa J , Kimoto K , Nara H , Nugraha A S , Kawamoto H , Eguchi M , Liao T , Sun Z . . Mesoporous multimetallic nanospheres with exposed highly entropic alloy sites. Nature Communications, 2023, 14(1): 4182

4 Wang H , Wang B , Bian Y , Dai L . Enhancing photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride by codoping with P and C for efficient hydrogen generation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2017, 9(26): 21730–21737

5 Wang H , Bian Y , Hu J , Dai L . Highly crystalline sulfur-doped carbon nitride as photocatalyst for efficient visible-light hydrogen generation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2018, 238: 592–598

6 Zhang Q , Lian K , Liu Q , Qi G , Zhang S , Luo J , Liu X . High entropy alloy nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for alkaline overall seawater splitting and Zn-air batteries. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023, 646: 844–854

7 Zhao C X , Liu J N , Wang J , Ren D , Li B Q , Zhang Q . Recent advances of noble-metal-free bifunctional oxygen reduction and evolution electrocatalysts. Chemical Society Reviews, 2021, 50(13): 7745–7778

8 Liu W , Zheng D , Deng T , Chen Q , Zhu C , Pei C , Li H , Wu F , Shi W , Yang S W . . Boosting electrocatalytic activity of 3d-block metal (hydro)oxides by ligand-induced conversion. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2021, 60(19): 10614–10619

9 Chen H , Zhang S , Liu Q , Yu P , Luo J , Hu G , Liu X . CoSe₂ nanocrystals embedded into carbon framework as efficient bifunctional catalyst for alkaline seawater splitting. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2022, 146: 110170

10 Santos M P S , Hanak D P . Carbon capture for decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries: a comparative review of techno-economic feasibility of solid looping cycles. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2022, 16(9): 1291–1317

11 Cao H , Wei T , Liu Q , Zhang S , Qin Y , Wang H , Luo J , Liu X . Hollow carbon cages derived from polyoxometalate-encapsuled metal-organic frameworks for energy-saving hydrogen production. ChemCatChem, 2023, 15(5): e202201615

12 Shen H , Wei T , Liu Q , Zhang S , Luo J , Liu X . Heterogeneous Ni-MoN nanosheet-assembled microspheres for urea-assisted hydrogen production. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023, 634: 730–736

13 Wei T , Liu W , Zhang S , Liu Q , Luo J , Liu X . A dual-functional Bi-doped Co₃O₄ nanosheet array towards high efficiency 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation and hydrogen production. Chemical Communications, 2023, 59(4): 442–445

14 Zhang H , Qi G , Liu W , Zhang S , Liu Q , Luo J , Liu X . Bimetallic phosphoselenide nanosheets as bifunctional catalysts for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation and hydrogen evolution. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 2023, 10(8): 2423–2429

15 Liu H , Liu Y , Li M , Liu X , Luo J . Transition-metal-based electrocatalysts for hydrazine-assisted hydrogen production. Materials Today. Advances, 2020, 7: 100083

16 Wei T , Meng G , Zhou Y , Wang Z , Liu Q , Luo J , Liu X . Amorphous Fe-Co oxide as an active and durable bifunctional catalyst for the urea-assisted H₂ evolution reaction in seawater. Chemical Communications, 2023, 59(66): 9992–9995

17 Jiang Z , Li Z , Qin Z , Sun H , Jiao X , Chen D . LDH nanocages synthesized with MOF templates and their high performance as supercapacitors. Nanoscale, 2013, 5(23): 11770–11775

18 Zhou L , Shao M , Wei M , Duan X . Advances in efficient electrocatalysts based on layered double hydroxides and their derivatives. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2017, 26(6): 1094–1106

19 Zhao Y , Waterhouse G I N , Chen G , Xiong X , Wu L Z , Tung C H , Zhang T . Two-dimensional-related catalytic materials for solar-driven conversion of CO_x into valuable chemical feedstocks. Chemical Society Reviews, 2019, 48(7): 1972–2010

20 Zhou D , Cai Z , Jia Y , Xiong X , Xie Q , Wang S , Zhang Y , Liu W , Duan H , Sun X . Activating basal plane in NiFe layered double hydroxide by Mn²⁺ doping for efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction. Nanoscale Horizons, 2018, 3(5): 532–537

21 Zhou D , Li P , Lin X , Mckinley A , Kuang Y , Liu W , Lin W F , Sun X , Duan X . Layered double hydroxide-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction: identification and tailoring of active sites, and superaerophobic nanoarray electrode assembly. Chemical Society Reviews, 2021, 50(15): 8790–8817

22 Li Y , Zhang L , Xiang X , Yan D , Li F . Engineering of ZnCo-layered double hydroxide nanowalls toward high-efficiency electrochemical water oxidation. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2014, 2(33): 13250–13258

23 Tang Y , Wang R , Yang Y , Yan D , Xiang X . Highly enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation efficiency based on triadic quantum dot/layered double hydroxide/BiVO₄ photoanodes. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2016, 8(30): 19446–19455

24 Tang Y , Fang X , Zhang X , Fernandes G , Yan Y , Yan D , Xiang X , He J . Space-confined earth-abundant bifunctional electrocatalyst for high-efficiency water splitting. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2017, 9(42): 36762–36771

25 Sun H , Chen L , Lian Y , Yang W , Lin L , Chen Y , Xu J , Wang D , Yang X , Rummerli M H . . Topotactically transformed polygonal mesopores on ternary layered double hydroxides exposing under-coordinated metal centers for accelerated water dissociation. Advanced Materials, 2020, 32(52): 2006784

26 Zhang J , Yu L , Chen Y , Lu X F , Gao S , Lou X W D . Designed formation of double-shelled Ni-Fe layered-double-hydroxide nanocages for efficient oxygen evolution reaction. Advanced Materials, 2020, 32(16): 1906432

27 Qin Y , Wang B , Qiu Y , Liu X , Qi G , Zhang S , Han A , Luo J , Liu J . Multi-shelled hollow layered double hydroxides with enhanced performance for the oxygen evolution reaction. Chemical Communications, 2021, 57(22): 2752–2755

28 Kang Y , Tang Y , Zhu L , Jiang B , Xu X , Guselnikova O , Li H , Asahi T , Yamauchi Y . Porous nanoarchitectures of nonprecious metal borides: from controlled synthesis to heterogeneous catalyst applications. ACS Catalysis, 2022, 12(23): 14773–14793

29 Patel D A , Weller A M , Chevalier R B , Karos C A , Landis E C . Ordering and defects in self-assembled monolayers on nanoporous gold. Applied Surface Science, 2016, 387: 503–512

30 Xue Y , Scaglione F , Celegato F , Denis P , Fecht H J , Rizzi P , Battezzati L . Shape controlled gold nanostructures on de-alloyed nanoporous gold with excellent SERS performance. Chemical Physics Letters, 2018, 709: 46–51

31 Jiang B , Guo Y , Sun F , Wang S , Kang Y , Xu X , Zhao J , You J , Eguchi M , Yamauchi Y . . Nanoarchitectonics of metallene materials for electrocatalysis. ACS Nano, 2023, 17(14): 13017–13043

32 Kim S H . Nanoporous gold for energy applications. Chemical Record, 2021, 21(5): 1199–1215

33 Sun J S , Zhou Y T , Yao R Q , Shi H , Wen Z , Lang X Y , Jiang Q . Nanoporous gold supported chromium-doped NiFe oxyhydroxides as high-performance catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2019, 7(16): 9690–9697

34 Tian M , Shi S , Shen Y , Yin H . PtRu alloy nanoparticles supported on nanoporous gold as an efficient anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell. Electrochimica Acta, 2019, 293: 390–398

35 Qin Y , Wang F , Shang J , Iqbal M , Han A , Sun X , Xu H , Liu J . Ternary NiCoFe-layered double hydroxide hollow polyhedrons as highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2020, 43: 104–107

36 Yang M , Sun J , Qin Y , Yang H , Zhang S , Liu X , Luo J . Hollow CoFe-layered double hydroxide polyhedrons for highly efficient CO₂ electrolysis. Science China Materials, 2022, 65(2): 536–542

37 Yilmaz G , Yam K M , Zhang C , Fan H J , Ho G W . In situ transformation of MOFs into layered double hydroxide embedded metal sulfides for improved electrocatalytic and supercapacitive performance. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29(26): 1606814

38 Yang Y , Dang L , Shearer M J , Sheng H , Li W , Chen J , Xiao P , Zhang Y , Hamers R J , Jin S . Highly active trimetallic NiFeCr layered double hydroxide electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction. Advanced Energy Materials, 2018, 8(15): 1703189

39 Burke M S , Kast M G , Trotochaud L , Smith A M , Boettcher S W . Cobalt-iron (oxy)hydroxide oxygen evolution electrocatalysts: the role of structure and composition on activity, stability, and mechanism. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2015, 137(10): 3638–3648

40 Hao P , Dong X , Wen H , Xu R , Xie J , Wang Q , Cui G , Tian J , Tang B . In-situ assembly of 2D/3D porous nickel cobalt sulfide solid solution as superior pre-catalysts to boost multi-functional electrocatalytic oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2023, 34(5): 107843

41 Hu W , Zheng M , Duan H , Zhu W , Wei Y , Zhang Y , Pan K , Pang H . Heat treatment-induced Co³⁺ enrichment in CoFePBA to enhance OER electrocatalytic performance. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2022, 33(3): 1412–1416

42 Zhou X , Yang T , Li T , Zi Y , Zhang S , Yang L , Liu Y , Yang J , Tang J . In-situ fabrication of carbon compound NiFeMo-P anchored on nickel foam as bi-functional catalyst for boosting overall water splitting. Nano Research Energy, 2023, 2: e9120086

43 Yang M , Meng G , Li H , Wei T , Liu Q , He J , Feng L , Sun X , Liu X . Bifunctional bimetallic oxide nanowires for high-efficiency electrosynthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and ammonia. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023, 652: 155–163

44 Su Z , Huang Q , Guo Q , Hoseini S J , Zheng F , Chen W . Metal-organic framework and carbon hybrid nanostructures: fabrication strategies and electrocatalytic application for the water splitting and oxygen reduction reaction. Nano Research Energy, 2023, 2: e9120078

45 Qi D , Liu S , Chen H , Lai S , Qin Y , Qiu Y , Dai S , Zhang S , Luo J , Liu X . Rh nanoparticle functionalized heteroatom-doped hollow carbon spheres for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Materials Chemistry Frontiers, 2021, 5(7): 3125–3131

46 Han X , Zhang L , Wang X , Song S , Zhang H . Recent progress on the synthesis and applications of high-entropy alloy catalysts. Nano Research Energy, 2023, 2: e9120084

47 Wei H , Si J , Zeng L , Lyu S , Zhang Z , Suo Y , Hou Y . Electrochemically exfoliated Ni-doped MoS₂ nanosheets for highly efficient hydrogen evolution and Zn-H₂O battery. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2023, 34(1): 107144

48 Wang T , Gao S , Wei T , Qin Y , Zhang S , Ding J , Liu Q , Luo J , Liu X . Co nanoparticles confined in mesoporous Mo/N Co-doped polyhedral carbon frameworks towards high-efficiency oxygen reduction. Chemistry, 2023, 29(23): e202204034

49 Chen M , Kitiphatpiboon N , Feng C , Abudula A , Ma Y , Guan G . Recent progress in transition-metal-oxide-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in natural seawater splitting: a critical review. eScience, 2023, 3(2): 100111

50 Chen L , Deng R , Guo S , Yu Z , Yao H , Wu Z , Shi K , Li H , Ma S . Synergistic effect of V and Fe in Ni/Fe/V ternary layered double hydroxides for efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2023, 17(1): 102–115