The article on novel 2D composites for effective electrochemical water splitting belongs to the most successful ones

The joint paper by authors from RCPTM, the Technical University of Munich, and the Ruhr University Bochum called Nanoporous Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Oxide/Nickel Sulfide Composite Sheets Derived from a Metal-Organic Framework and an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution, which was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials last year, has been of great interest to researchers since then. According to the editors of the journal, this paper had been among the 20 most popular ones to download over the course of 12 months since it was published online.

“Your paper drew an instant impact and helped to raise awareness of the journal Advanced Functional Materials”, said one of the editors.

The authors introduced a highly efficient composite electrocatalyst for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which are key parts of electrochemical water-splitting. The catalyst uses a unique combination of nitrogen-doped graphene oxide and nickel sulfide prepared by transformation of a nickel metal organic framework (MOF). The exceptional electrocatalytic efficiency consists in its large specific surface area, hierarchical structure of the 2D composite system with high pore volume, accessibility of the active metal centers, and the doping of the graphene structure with nitrogen. The composite material is a competitive alternative to the expensive commercial oxides based on precious metals that have been used so far.