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Focusing on renewable energy, we developed an efficient and robust catalyst for overall water splitting (OWS). Using density functional theory (DFT) as the guide, a combination electrode with bifunctional activities based on Co-based carbonate hydroxides (CCHs) and pyrenely-graphdiyne nanowalls (Pyr-GDY-NWs) with three-dimensional structures was designed, and then a series of experiments were attempted to prepare the combination electrode CCH@Pyr-GDY-NWs. From the data of theory and experiment, we found that the combination electrode CCH@Pyr-GDY-NWs exhibits an outstanding catalytic activity towards OWS. The design approach reported herein could open up a new avenue for the construction of three-dimensional Pyr-GDY-NW-based electrodes with high catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel Re(I)-based heterobimetallic complexes were synthesized using the ligand p-[N-2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]-[N-2-(2′-pyridyl)indolyl]-benzene (L1), which contains two distinct N^N- and N^C-chelating sites. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties were fully characterized, which unveil the existence of electronic communication between the two metal centers. An electrochemical study shows that these types of Re(I) complex are promising candidates as catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite cluster with core–shell structure composed of polyoxometalates (POMs) and graphdiyne (GDY) was synthesized and applied for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Compared with the original POMs and GDY, the composite cluster Co4(PW9)2@GDY demonstrates superior performance and stable electrochemical OER. The core–shell composite cluster exhibited high performance for OER with low potentials and a small Tafel slope. Moreover, high catalytic activity of the cluster was achieved at a high current density. Co4(PW9)2@GDY has excellent catalytic performance and long stability due to its strong electron-transfer ability in the system, higher conductivity, and the structural advantage of pores in GDY. We also tested the OER synergism mechanism between POM and GDY. This would open access and guide us to synthesize novel clusters based on polyoxometalates and graphdiyne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on renewable energy, we are devoted to developing efficient, robust and low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. A facile, environmentally benign and low-cost method was developed. Ethylene glycol as an inexpensive and non-toxic reducing agent was used to reduce cuprous oxide to synthesize a Cu2O–reduced graphene oxide (Cu2O–rGO) composite. This material changed the bond energy of the intermediate Cu–O of the OER under alkaline conditions, exhibiting good electrocatalytic oxygen generation performance. It is noteworthy that our research not only developed a method to prepare a Cu2O-based catalyst but also investigated the mechanism of action of the Cu2O–rGO composite. This will guide us to synthesise novel non-noble-metal catalysts develop their applications toward energy and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To focus on renewable energy, we have been devoted to developping energy-efficient, robust and low cost water reduction catalysts (WRCs). Two hybrid inorganic–organic hexa/octa-CuII-sandwiched POM: [Cu(dap)2]2[{Cu8(dap)4(H2O)2} (SiW9O34)2]·7H2O (1) and [Cu(dap)2(H2O)]2[Cu(dap)2]2[{Cu6(dap)2}(SiW9O34)2]·8H2O (2) (dap = 1,2-diaminopropane, 1,4-H2NDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The new copper complexes were applied as water reduction catalysts (WRCs) in the presence of [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)][PF6] as a photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial electron donor. Meanwhile, the number of nuclear substituted polyoxotungstates was the critical factor influencing photocatalysis. The experimental results matched well with the conclusions obtained via density functional theory (DFT). It is noteworthy that our research not only enriches the field of CuII-sandwiched POM chemistry but also provides an investigation of the relationship between photocatalytic activity and the nuclear number of Cu-substituted POMs. These results may guide us to synthesize different nuclear copper-substituted polyoxotungstates and develop their applications toward energy and environmental uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]