Black phosphorus-based nanocomposites and transition metal phosphates for electrocatalytic oxidation of small molecules

The electrochemical oxidation reaction of small molecules (EORSM) has attracted extensive attention due to its advantages such as mild operating conditions, high conversion efficiency, good selectivity and environmental friendliness. Moreover, with relatively fast reaction kinetics and low theoretical thermodynamic equilibrium potential, EORSM is expected to replace anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The coupling of EORSM at anode with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at cathode could realize multiple targets including high-value chemicals production, pollutant degradation and efficient hydrogen production. Black phosphorus-based nanocomposites are supposed as a promising EORSM electrocatalyst due to their adjustable electronic structure, large specific surface area, high carrier mobility and active lone pair electrons. Apart from that, transition metal phosphates (TMPs) are also widely used for EORSM because of their abundant active sites, strong electrical conductivity and adjustable component structure. This mini review briefly summarizes the recent progress of EORSM including alcohol oxidation, urea oxidation and hydrazine oxidation over BP-based nanocomposites or TMPs. In addition, possible challenges and research directions are also discussed for inspiring people to optimize EORSM using BP-based nanocomposites and ™Ps.