Janus Carbon Nanomaterials Could Resolve the Conflict Between Intrinsic Activity and Electronic Conductivity

Carbon-based electrocatalysts are considered as promising alternatives to the state-of-the-art precious metal catalysts. Heteroatom doping can effectively create highly active catalytic centers, but unfortunately, resulting in lower electronic conductivity and thus hindering the electrocatalysis process. To address this issue, a team from South China University of Technology developed a Janus carbon electrocatalyst with different heteroatom doping levels between the two sides, which could resolve the conflict between intrinsic activity and electronic conductivity to boost the performance in the electrocatalytic hydrazine oxidation reactions.