Bioinspired graphene-based metal oxide nanocomposites for photocatalytic and electrochemical performances: an updated review.

Considering the rapidly increasing population, the development of new resources, skills, and devices that can provide safe potable water and clean energy remains one of the vital research topics for the scientific community. Owing to this, scientific community discovered such material for tackle this issue of environment benign, the new materials with graphene functionalized derivatives show significant advantages for application in multifunctional catalysis and energy storage systems. Herein, we highlight the recent methods reported for the preparation of graphene-based materials by focusing on the following aspects: (i) transformation of graphite/graphite oxide into graphene/graphene oxide exfoliation and reduction; (ii) bioinspired fabrication or modification of graphene with various metal oxides and its applications in photocatalysis and storage systems.

Trimetallic CuO/Ag/NiO supported with silica nanoparticles based composite materials for green hydrogen production.

Production and utilization of grey and blue hydrogen is responsible for emission of millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO) across the globe. This increased emission of CO has severe repercussions on the planet earth and in particular on climate change. Here in, we explored advance bimetallic (BM) CuO/Ag and trimetallic (TM) CuO/Ag/NiO based nanoporous materials supported with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) via sol-gel route.

Functionalization of antimonene and bismuthene with Lewis acids.

Elemental 2D pnictogens (group 15) are an interesting class of materials with tunable band structures and high carrier mobilities. Heavier pnictogens (Sb and Bi) are stable under ambient conditions compared to lighter members (P and As) and are emerging as interesting candidates for various electronic and optoelectronic applications. The reactivity of these materials is due to the presence of a lone pair which can be effectively utilized to tune material properties different functionalization strategies.

Covalent Functionalization of Antimonene and Bismuthene Nanosheets.

Antimonene and bismuthene are promising members of the 2D pnictogen family with their tunable band gaps, high electronic conductivity, and ambient stability, making them suitable for electronic and optoelectronic applications. However, semi-metal to semiconductor transition occurs only in the mono/bilayer regime, limiting their applications. Covalent functionalization is a versatile method for tuning materials' chemical, electronic, and optical properties and can be explored for tuning the properties of pnictogens.

Designing electrode materials for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is a viable alternative for reducing fossil fuel consumption and reducing atmospheric CO levels. Although, a wide variety of materials have been studied for electrochemical reduction of CO, the selective and efficient reduction of CO is still not accomplished. Complex reaction mechanisms and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction further complicates the efficiency of materials.

Dependence of the Properties of 2D Nanocomposites Generated by Covalent Crosslinking of Nanosheets on the Interlayer Separation: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Covalently cross-linked heterostructures of 2D materials are a new class of materials which possess electrochemical and photochemical hydrogen evolution properties. It was of considerable interest to investigate the role of interlayer spacing in the nanocomposites involving MoS and graphene sheets and its control over electronic structures and catalytic properties. We have investigated this problem with emphasis on the hydrogen evolution properties of these structures by a combined experimental and theoretical study.

TiNF and Related Analogues of TiO : A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Aliovalent anion substitution in inorganic materials brings about marked changes in properties, as exemplified by N,F-codoped metal oxides. Recently, complete substitution of oxygen in ZnO by N and F was carried out to generate Zn NF. In view of the important properties of TiO , we have attempted to prepare TiNF by employing an entirely new procedure involving the reaction of TiN with TiF .

Photochemical and Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation by Splitting Seawater.

Producing hydrogen from water in an efficient manner could significantly reduce consumption of fossil fuels. In this regard the abundant presence of water in oceans offers an important alternative approach for water splitting using seawater. Direct use of seawater for the generation of hydrogen is a difficult and complex process due to the presence of various ions in seawater, which affect the activity of the catalysts and makes the selectivity towards efficient water splitting a challenging task.

Recent Progress in the Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide.

Elimination or reduction of CO in the atmosphere is a serious problem faced by humankind, and it has become imperative for chemists to find ways of transforming undesirable CO to useful chemicals. One of the best means is the use of solar energy for the photochemical reduction of CO. In spite of considerable efforts, discovery of stable photocatalysts which work in the absence of scavengers has remained a challenge although encouraging results have been obtained in the photocatalytic reduction of CO in both gas and liquid phases.