High Temperature Shock (HTS) Synthesis of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Applications

Abstract

Carbon-based nanomaterials play a significant role in the field of electrochemistry because of their outstanding electrical conductivity, chemical and thermal resistance, structural flexibility, and so on. In recent years, we have observed a rapid rise of research interest in the high-temperature shock (HTS) method, which is fast, stable, environmentally friendly, and versatile. The HTS method offers excellent controllability and repeatability while tackling challenges and limitations of traditional preparation methods, providing a new way to prepare and optimize carbon-based nanomaterials for electrochemical applications. During the HTS synthesis, the reaction is driven by the high temperature while further growth of obtained nanoparticles is inhibited by the rapid heating and cooling rates. The preparation of carbon-based nanomaterials by HTS has many advantages, including controlled carbon vacancy that may drive phase transformation, precise engineering of carbon, and other defects that may function as active centers, formation and preservation of metastable phase owing to the high energy and rapid cooling, fine-tuning of the interaction between loaded species and carbon support for optimized performance, and facile doping and compounding to induce synergy between different constituents. This article provides a comprehensive review of various carbon-based nanomaterials prepared by the HTS method and their applications in the field of electrochemistry during the past decade, emphasizing their synthesis and principles to optimize their performance. Studies showcasing the merits of HTS-derived carbon-based nanomaterials in advancing Lithium-ion batteries, Lithium-sulfur batteries, Lithium-air batteries, water-splitting reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, CO₂ reduction reaction, nitrate reduction reaction, other electrocatalytic reactions, and fuel cells are highlighted. Finally, the prospects of carbon-based nanomaterials prepared by HTS method for electrochemical applications are recommended.