Fine-Tuning the Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups in Carbon-Based Materials for Electrocatalytic Reactions

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrocatalytic technologies are crucial for meeting global energy demands and achieving carbon neutrality.
• Carbon-based materials are promising electrocatalysts due to their favorable properties, but their inert structure limits activity.
• Incorporating oxygen functional groups (OFGs) into carbon materials is a key strategy to enhance electrocatalytic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the latest research on OFGs in carbon-based electrocatalysts.
• To explore the mechanisms by which OFGs regulate electrocatalytic reactions, including oxygen reduction, CO2 reduction, and oxygen evolution.
• To summarize structure-function relationships and discuss future opportunities for OFG-modified carbon materials.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advancements in oxygen functional groups for electrocatalysis.
• Analysis of reaction kinetics and charge transfer processes influenced by OFGs.
• Investigation of structure-property correlations for various OFG types in multireaction systems.

Main Results:

• OFGs effectively tune the electronic structure, charge transfer, and adsorption energies of carbon-based electrocatalysts.
• Specific OFGs demonstrate significant enhancements in crucial electrocatalytic reactions (oxygen reduction, CO2 reduction, oxygen evolution).
• Precise control over OFGs leads to improved electrocatalytic activity and stability.

Conclusions:

• OFGs are pivotal in overcoming the limitations of inert carbon structures for electrocatalysis.
• Understanding the precise structure-function relationships of OFGs is essential for designing high-performance electrocatalysts.
• Future research should focus on controllable strategies for OFG modulation and interfacial engineering for advanced electrocatalytic applications.