Ionic Liquids Achieve the Exfoliation of Ultrathin Two-Dimensional VOPO4•2H2O Crystalline Nanosheets: Implications on Energy Storage and Catalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets have been widely reported and applied. Among them, 2D VOPO4 center dot 2H(2)O (HVPO) is widely used in the chemical industry and energy storage field because of its polyanionic laminates. However, its layered structure is difficult to be damaged because of the strong hydrate hydrogen bonds and a small interlayer spacing. Herein, the ionic liquids (ILs) are utilized to achieve the physicochemical exfoliation of HVPO. Also, the ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) crystalline nanosheets are successfully obtained with fully exposed crystal planes and a monoatomic or few-atomic-layer structure. Further, the exfoliation mechanism of hydrogen bond destruction and recombination is proposed by combining the density functional theory (DFT) and characterization analysis. The strong hydration hydrogen bonding of an HVPO interlayer is destroyed and a system of hydrogen bonds between the cations of the ILs with a layered plate of VOPO4 and the anions of the ILs with crystal water is reformed. Besides, reassembly of the 2D nanosheets was prohibited due to the recombination of the hydrogen-bonding network. It is found that the 2D crystalline nanosheets have a quenching effect on the photoluminescence of ILs and have good electrochemical properties such as reducing the battery impedance (about 5 times less than that of the blank) and reducing the redox potential difference.

Automated summary

Utilizing ionic liquids for the physicochemical exfoliation of HVPO has successfully produced high-quality 2D crystalline nanosheets with fully exposed crystal planes. A mechanism of hydrogen bond destruction and recombination was proposed, preventing reassembly of the nanosheets and exhibiting superior optical and electrochemical properties.