Electric field–confined synthesis of single atomic TiO <i> <sub>x</sub> </i> C <i> <sub>y</sub> </i> electrocatalytic membranes
Yifan Gao, Shuai Liang, Chengxu Jiang, Mengyao Gu, Quanbiao Zhang, Ali Abdelhafiz, Zhen Zhang, Ying Han, Yang Yang, Xiaoyuan Zhang, Peng Liang, Ju Li, Xia Huang
Abstract
Electrocatalysis exhibits certain benefits for water purification, but the low performance of electrodes severely hampers its utility. Here, we report a general strategy for fabricating high-performance three-dimensional (3D) porous electrodes with ultrahigh electrochemical active surface area and single-atom catalysts from earth-abundant elements. We demonstrate a binder-free dual electrospinning-electrospraying (DESP) strategy to densely distribute single atomic Ti and titanium oxycarbide (TiO x C y ) sub–3-nm clusters throughout interconnected carbon nanofibers (CNs). The composite offers ultrahigh conductivity and mechanical robustness (ultrasonication resistant). The resulting TiO x C y filtration membrane exhibits record-high water purification capability with excellent permeability (~8370 liter m −2 hour −1 bar −1 ), energy efficiency (e.g., >99% removal of toxins within 1.25 s at 0.022 kWh·m −3 per order), and erosion resistance. The hierarchical design of the TiO x C y membrane facilitates rapid and energy-efficient electrocatalysis through both direct electron transfer and indirect reactive oxygen species ( 1 O 2 , · OH, and O 2 · − , etc.) oxidations. The electric field–confined DESP strategy provides a general platform for making high-performance 3D electrodes.