Graphdiyne for crucial gas involved catalytic reactions in energy conversion applications

Gas involved reactions including the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) are the center of sustainable energy conversion technologies. Development of efficient catalysts to boost the aforementioned reactions is highly imperative because of the sluggish kinetics and large overpotential. Carbon-based catalysts have triggered huge interest in gas involved catalytic reactions owing to the low cost, high energy conversion efficiency and environmental friendliness. Graphdiyne (GDY), a rising-star carbon allotrope, consists of a highly p-conjugated structure of sp(2)- and sp-hybridized carbons. The unique electronic and topological structures and preparation advantages endow GDY with the possibilities to construct new-concept carbon-based catalysts for achieving high efficiency for energy conversion. Herein, a concise but comprehensive review of recent advances in the synthesis and applications of GDY based catalysts for crucial gas involved reactions is presented. Some new perspectives of opportunities and challenges in developing GDY-based catalysts for gas-involved energy conversion are also discussed.