(140b) Microwave Approach to Multi-Functional Nanocomposites for Energy Applications

Nanocomposites are composed of a large selection of nanomaterials, such as nanocarbons, metal oxides/chalcogenides, carbides, phosphides, polymers, etc., which possess superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, leading to broad applications in smart structures, chemical sensors, energy storage and nano-electronic devices. However, the high cost and difficulty in getting large-scale, high-quality nanocomposites remain challenges. Zhang Research Group has been dedicated to developing facile, reliable, sustainable manufacturing technologies towards functional nanocomposites for energy-related applications. For example, the manufacturing of transition metal chalcogenides (MCs) on graphene support (MC-Gr) was developed based on a one-step microwave approach. In this regard, a series of suitable combinations of metals and chalcogens have been selected, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe₂), molybdenum sulftotelluride (MoSTe), cobalt doped MoS₂ (Co-MoS₂) and other hybrids. Electrochemical characterizations i.e., cyclic voltammogram (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and so on, reveal that the as-produced nanocomposites can be used as high mileage catalyst materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and electrical energy storage (EES) such as hybrid-capacitor applications. This work will focus on hydrogen evolution reaction catalyzed by Molybdenum chalcogenides nanocomposites, manufactured by microwave approach.