Prussian-blue-analogues-derived Nanostructure and Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Energy Conversion

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted extensive interest in the context of energy storage and conversion due to their high surface areas, controllable structures and excellent electrochemical properties. In particular, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have recently gained attention as a new class of anode materials for lithium ion batteries and electrocatalysts for water splitting. In this article, PBAs-derived metal composites are synthesized via template-assisted strategies. Specifically, Co3O4 microframes are obtained via Co-Co PBA and reported to be superior anode material for lithium ion battery and efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) catalyst. The microframe structure shorten the transport length and enables much easier diffusion of ions. Meanwhile, the robust structure of the Co3O4 microframes might also grant high durability for the electrochemical applications. Nickel cobalt phosphide (Ni-Co-P) quasi-hollow nanocubes are obtained via low temperature gas phospidation of Ni-Co-PBA and applied as efficient electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction(HER). The high porosity of Ni-Co-P quasi-hollow nanocubes and synergistic effect between Ni and Co result in lower overpotential and smaller Tafel slope compared with its counterparts. In addition, Ni-Co-MoS2 nanoboxes are formed by etching the Ni-Co PBA nanocubes and simultaneous growth of MoS2 nanosheets on the surface of the nanocubes. The Ni-Co-MoS2 nanoboxes exhibit a larger cathodic current and a lower onset optional for HER than bare MoS2 owing to the hollow structure and incorporation of nickel and cobalt into MoS2 nanosheets. Those works demonstrate the potential of PBA-derived nanostructure and nanomaterials in energy storage and conversion field, and also open up a new way to synthesize structure-designed nanomaterials.