Tuning the Intermolecular Electron Transfer of Low-Dimensional and Metal-Free BCN/C60 Electrocatalysts via Interfacial Defects for Efficient Hydrogen and Oxygen Electrochemistry

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12386
• Publication Date: 2021-01-06T08:38:11Z
• Authors: Md Ariful Ahsan; Tianwei He; Kamel Eid; Aboubakr M. Abdullah; Michael L. Curry; Aijun Du; Alain R. Puente S...; Luis Echegoyen; Juan C. Noveron
• Keywords: Low-Dimensional; 02 engineering and technology; 540; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

The development of low-dimensional (LD) supramolecular materials with multifunctional electrocatalytic properties has sparked the attention catalysis community. Herein, we report synthesis a new class 0D–2D heterostructures composed boron carbon nitride nanosheets (BCN NSs) and fullerene molecules (C60/F) that exhibit for hydrogen evolution/oxidation reactions (HER/HOR) oxygen evolution/reduction (OER/ORR). were studied varying F:BCN weight ratios to optimize intermolecular electron transfer (ET) from BCN NSs electron-accepting C60 molecules. nanohybrid material 10 wt % F in (10% F/BCN) exhibited largest Raman C 1s binding energy shifts, which associated greater cooperativity interactions enhanced ET processes at F/BCN interface. This synergistic interfacial phenomenon resulted highly active catalytic sites markedly boosted activity material. 10% showed highest tetrafunctional performance, outperforming OER commercial RuO2 catalysts η10 390 mV very competitive onset potential values −0.042 0.92 V vs RHE HER ORR, respectively, current density value 1.47 mA cm–2 0.1 an ultralow ΔGH* −0.03 eV toward HOR process. Additionally, catalyst was also used as both cathode anode water splitting device, delivering cell 1.61 reach cm–2.