Emerging Dual‐Channel Transition‐Metal‐Oxide Quasiaerogels by Self‐Embedded Templating

Abstract

AbstractThe lack of precise control of particle sizes is the critical challenge in the assembly of 3D interconnected transition‐metal oxide (TMO) for newly‐emerging energy conversion devices. A self‐embedded templating strategy for preparing the TMO@carbon quasiaerogels (TMO@C‐QAs) is proposed. By mimicking an aerogel structure at a microscale, the TMO@C‐QA successfully assembles size‐controllable TMO nanoparticles into 3D interconnected structure with surface‐enriched carbon species. The morphological evolutions of intermediates verify that the self‐embedded Ostwald ripening templating approach is responsible for the dual‐channel TMO@C‐QA formation. The general self‐embedded templating strategy is easily extended to prepare various TMO@C‐QAs, including the Co3O4@C‐QA, Mn3O4@C‐QA, Fe2O3@C‐QA, and NiO@C‐QA. Benefiting from the unparalleled 3D interconnected network of aerogels, the Co3O4@C‐QA displays superior bifunctional catalytic activities for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), as well as high specific capacity and excellent long‐term stability for lithium‐ion battery (LIB) anode. A proof‐of‐concept battery‐powered electrolyzer with Co3O4@C‐QA cathode and anode powered by a full LIB with Co3O4@C‐QA anode is presented. The battery‐powered electrolyzer made of the state‐of‐the‐art TMOs can exhibit great competitive advantages due to its supreme multifunctional energy conversion performance for future water electrolysis.