Unique hollow heterostructured CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S-Mo_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2):Highly-improved visible-light-driven H_(2) generation via synergy of Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S protective shell and defect-rich Mo_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2) cocatalyst

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen(H_(2))production is a green sustainable technology,in which highly-efficient steady photocatalysts are fundamentally required.In this work,unique CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S-M0_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2) photocatalyst constructed by CdS hollow nano-spheres with successively surface-modified Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S shell and defect-rich MO_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2) ultrathin nanosheets was reported for the first time.Interestingly,the Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S shell could greatly enhance the photo-stability and reduce the carrier recombination of CdS.Meanwhile,enriching active sites and accelerating charge transfer could be achieved via anchoring defect-rich Mo_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2) onto CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S hollow heterostructures.Specifically,the optimized CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S-Mo_(1-x)W_(x)Sa(6 h Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S-coating,7 wt.%Mo_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2),x=0.5)hybrid delivered an exceptional H_(2) generation rate of 215.99 mmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1),which is approximately 502,134,and 23 times that of pure CdS,CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S,and 3 wt.%Pt-loaded CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S,respectively.Remarkably,a high H_(2) evolution reaction(HER)apparent quantum yield(AQY)of 64.81%was obtained under 420-nm irradiation.In addition,the CdS/Cd_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)S-Mo_(1-x)W_(x)S_(2) was also durable for H2 production under long-term irradiation.This work provides valuable inspirations to rational design and synthesis of efficient and stable hybrid photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.

Interface Engineering of NixSy@MnOxHy Nanorods to Efficiently Enhance Overall-Water-Splitting Activity and Stability

Exploring highly active and stable transition metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts has recently attracted extensive research interests for achieving high inherent activity, abundant exposed active sites, rapid mass transfer, and strong structure stability for overall water splitting. Herein, an interface engineering coupled with shell-protection strategy was applied to construct three-dimensional(3D) core-shell NixSy@MnOxHy heterostructure nanorods grown on nickel foam(NixSy@MnOxHy/NF) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst. NixSy@MnOxHy/NF was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal reaction followed by an electrodeposition process. The X-ray absorption fine structure spectra reveal that abundant Mn-S bonds connect the heterostructure interfaces of N ixSy@MnOxHy, leading to a strong electronic interaction, which improves the intrinsic activities of hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction(OER). Besides, as an efficient protective shell, the MnOxHy dramatically inhibits the electrochemical corrosion of the electrocatalyst at high current densities, which remarkably enhances the stability at high potentials. Furthermore, the 3D nanorod structure not only exposes enriched active sites, but also accelerates the electrolyte diffusion and bubble desorption. Therefore, NixSy@MnOxHy/NF exhibits exceptional bifunctional activity and stability for overall water splitting, with low overpotentials of 326 and 356 mV for OER at 100 and 500 mA cm^(–2), respectively, along with high stability of 150 h at 100 mA cm^(–2). Furthermore, for overall water splitting, it presents a low cell voltage of 1.529 V at 10 mA cm^(–2), accompanied by excellent stability at 100 mA cm^(–2) for 100 h. This work sheds a light on exploring highly active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts by the interface engineering coupled with shell-protection strategy.

Three-Layer Structured SnO_(2)@C@TiO_(2)Hollow Spheres for High-Performance Sodium Storage

The unsatisfactory conductivity and large volume variation severely handicap the application of SnO_(2)in sodium-ion batteries(SIBs).Herein,we design unique three-layer structured SnO_(2)@C@TiO_(2)hollow spheres to tackle the above-mentioned issues.The hollow cavity affords empty space to accommodate the volume variation of SnO_(2),while the C and TiO_(2)protecting shells strengthen the structural integrity and enhances the electrical conductivity.As a result,the three-layer structured SnO_(2)@C@TiO_(2)hollow spheres demonstrate enhanced Na storage performances.The SnO_(2)@C@TiO_(2)manifests a reversible capacity two times to that of pristine SnO_(2)hollow spheres.In addition,Ex situ XRD reveals highly reversible alloying and conversion reactions in SnO_(2)@C@TiO_(2)hollow spheres.This study suggests the introduction of a hollow cavity and robust protecting shells is a promising strategy for constructing SIB anode materials.