2D Ge₂Se₂P₄ Monolayer

Abstract

This study aims to identify photo-/electrocatalysts that can enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which are of utmost importance in electro-/photochemical energy systems, such as solar energy, fuel cells, water electrolyzers, or metal-air batteries. Our study focused on investigating the 2D Ge₂Se₂P₄ monolayer and found that it exhibits a bifunctional photocatalyst with a very high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. The two-dimensional (2D) Ge₂Se₂P₄ monolayer has superior HER activity compared to that of most 2D materials, and it also outperforms the reference catalysts IrO₂(110) and Pt(111) in terms of low overpotential values for ORR and OER mechanisms. Such superior catalytic performance in the 2D Ge₂Se₂P₄ monolayer can be attributed to its electron states, charge transfer process, and suitable band alignments referring to normal hydrogen electrodes. Overall, the study suggests that the Ge₂Se₂P₄ monolayer could be an excellent bifunctional catalyst for advancing photo-/electrochemical energy systems.