Scalable Synthesis of Tungsten Disulfide Nanosheets for Alkali‐Acid Electrocatalytic Sulfion Recycling and H2 Generation. Issue 39 (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yi, Luocai; Ji, Yaxin; Shao, Ping; Chen, Junxiang; Li, Junwei; Li, Hao; Chen, Kai; Peng, Xinxin; Wen, Zhenhai
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 39(2021)
• Page Start: 21550
• Page End: 21557
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: hydrogen evolution reaction -- molten salt synthesis -- sulfide oxidation reaction -- WS2 nanosheets; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202108992
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: WS2 nanosheets hold great promise for a variety of applications yet faces a grand challenge in terms of large‐scale synthesis. We report a reliable, scalable, and high‐yield (>93 %) synthetic strategy to fabricate WS2 nanosheets, which exhibit highly desirable electrocatalytic properties toward both the alkaline sulfion (S 2− ) oxidation reaction (SOR) and the acidic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The findings prompted us to develop a hybrid alkali‐acid electrochemical cell with the WS2 nanosheets as bifunctional electrode catalysts of alkaline anodic SOR and acidic cathodic HER. The proof‐of‐concept device holds promise for self‐power or low‐electricity electrolytic H2 generation and environmentally friendly recycling of sulfion with enhanced electron utilization efficiency. Abstract : A scalable low‐temperature molten‐salt‐assisted method was developed for synthesis of WS2 nanosheets with high‐quality and high‐yield. The WS2 nanosheets show high electrocatalytic activity towards the alkaline sulfion (S 2− ) oxidation reaction and the acidic hydrogen evolution reaction. A proof‐of‐concept hybrid alkali‐acid electrochemical device was set up for electrolytic H2 generation and environmentally friendly recycling of sulfion.