Two-Dimensional Geometry-Dependent Interfaces for Enhanced Water Splitting Kinetics

Particle–support interaction has been recognized as a driving force for improving catalytic performance. To achieve this unique interaction, the common synthetic strategy is to load the active noble-metal particles onto a specific supporter. Due to the surface features and the sheetlike geometry, two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides are promising supporters for metal particle loading, resulting in the stable interfacial binding and the reduced charge transfer distance. Herein, three different types of 2D-based vanadium oxide supporters are proposed to be synthesized by using a controllable self-assembly approach. After the loading of active iridium nanoparticles, it is concluded that the optimal geometry for superior catalytic kinetics is the 2D one, which is primarily contributed by the strongest Ir–V–O interaction over particle–support interfaces. This work will provide some new insights into the particle–support interaction mechanisms and offer a possible solution for optimizing the electrocatalytic kinetics by adjusting the geometry of the supporter.