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Stable Confinement of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots on Black Tin Oxide Nanotubes: A Robust, Double‐Active Electrocatalyst toward Efficient Nitrogen Fixation
Author(s) -
Liu YiTao,
Li Di,
Yu Jianyong,
Ding Bin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201908415
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , tin oxide , materials science , faraday efficiency , electrolysis , quantum dot , tin , nanotechnology , oxide , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , electrode , electrolyte , metallurgy , engineering
A conceptually new, metal‐free electrocatalyst, black phosphorus (BP) is presented, which is further downsized to quantum dots (QDs) for larger surface areas, and thus, more active sites than the bulk form. However, BP QDs are prone to agglomeration, which inevitably results in the loss of active sites. Besides, their poor conductivity is not favorable for charge transport during electrolysis. To solve these problems, an electrochemically active, electrically conductive matrix, black tin oxide (SnO 2− x ) nanotubes, is employed for the first time. Through facile self‐assembly, BP QDs are stably confined on the SnO 2− x nanotubes due to Sn‐P coordination, resulting in a robust, double‐active electrocatalyst. Benefiting from their synergistic superiority, the BP@SnO 2− x nanotubes deliver impressively high ammonia yield and Faradaic efficiency, which represent a successful attempt toward advanced hybrid electrocatalysts for ambient nitrogen fixation.