Nanoengineering of Porous 2D Structures with Tunable Fluid Transport Behavior for Exceptional H 2 O 2 Electrosynthesis

• Published in: Nano letters 2024-02, Vol.24 (5), p.1650-1659
• Main Authors: Tian, Qiang, Jing, Lingyan, Yin, Yunchao, Liang, Zhenye, Du, Hongnan, Yang, Lin, Cheng, Xiaolei, Zuo, Daxian, Tang, Cheng, Liu, Zhuoxin, Liu, Jian, Wan, Jiayu, Yang, Jinlong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04396

Precision nanoengineering of porous two-dimensional structures has emerged as a promising avenue for finely tuning catalytic reactions. However, understanding the pore-structure-dependent catalytic performance remains challenging, given the lack of comprehensive guidelines, appropriate material models, and precise synthesis strategies. Here, we propose the optimization of two-dimensional carbon materials through the utilization of mesopores with 5-10 nm diameter to facilitate fluid acceleration, guided by finite element simulations. As proof of concept, the optimized mesoporous carbon nanosheet sample exhibited exceptional electrocatalytic performance, demonstrating high selectivity (>95%) and a notable diffusion-limiting disk current density of -3.1 mA cm for H O production. Impressively, the electrolysis process in the flow cell achieved a production rate of 14.39 mol g h to yield a medical-grade disinfectant-worthy H O solution. Our pore engineering research focuses on modulating oxygen reduction reaction activity and selectivity by affecting local fluid transport behavior, providing insights into the mesoscale catalytic mechanism.