Mesoporous Carbon Spheres with Programmable Interiors As Efficient Nanoreactors for HO Electrosynthesis

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Feb 1

PMID 38302469

Authors

Qiang Tian

Lingyan Jing

Hongnan Du

Yunchao Yin

Xiaolei Cheng

Jiaxin Xu

Junyu Chen

Zhuoxin Liu

Jiayu Wan

Jian Liu

Jinlong Yang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The nanoreactor holds great promise as it emulates the natural processes of living organisms to facilitate chemical reactions, offering immense potential in catalytic energy conversion owing to its unique structural functionality. Here, we propose the utilization of precisely engineered carbon spheres as building blocks, integrating micromechanics and controllable synthesis to explore their catalytic functionalities in two-electron oxygen reduction reactions. After conducting rigorous experiments and simulations, we present compelling evidence for the enhanced mass transfer and microenvironment modulation effects offered by these mesoporous hollow carbon spheres, particularly when possessing a suitably sized hollow architecture. Impressively, the pivotal achievement lies in the successful screening of a potent, selective, and durable two-electron oxygen reduction reaction catalyst for the direct synthesis of medical-grade hydrogen peroxide disinfectant. Serving as an exemplary demonstration of nanoreactor engineering in catalyst screening, this work highlights the immense potential of various well-designed carbon-based nanoreactors in extensive applications.

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