Skeletal Nanostructures Promoting Electrocatalytic Reactions with Three-Dimensional Frameworks

Abstract

Hollow skeletal nanomaterials, such as nanoframes and nanocages, represent a class of advanced electrocatalysts and exhibit excellent performance in various electrochemical energy conversion reactions. Their three-dimensional (3D) framework, which allows a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, efficient molecular accessibility, and nanoscale confinement effect, leads to higher catalytic activity compared to solid nanoparticle (NP)-based catalysts without requiring the use of a significant amount of precious metal. In this Perspective, we present notable exemplars of skeletal nanostructures that have demonstrated superior activity over solid NP-based catalysts. In particular, we highlight that the 3D framework in skeletal nanostructures consists of inherently reactive catalytic surfaces and discuss a multitude of factors affecting the excellent performance of skeletal nanocatalysts. We next introduce the design strategies that promote the catalytic activity and durability of skeletal nanostructures, including the strengthening of framework structures and the reorganization of the atomic array in a skeletal nanostructure. Finally, we provide future research directions in this emerging class of catalysts.