sophiecarenco

We report the synthesis of air-stable P₄(MesCO)₄. We used it to prepare FeP and Fe₂P nanoparticles at 250 °C. X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) reveal the local order and bonding in the amorphous and crystalline materials. Crystalline FeP forms via an intermediate amorphous phase with a local order similar to that of the crystalline sample. We explore the electrocatalytic properties for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic and neutral electrolytes. In both electrolytes, amorphous FeP is a more efficient catalyst than crystalline FeP and Fe₂P.

F. D’Accriscio, E. Schrader, C. Sassoye, M. Selmane, R. F. André, S. Lamaison, D. Wakerley, M. Fontecave, V. Mougel, G. Le Corre, H. Grützmacher, C. Sanchez, S. Carenco, ChemNanoMat 2020, cnma.202000198.2020, doi:10.1002/cnma.202000198

This review summarizes the syntheses and applications of metal oxysulfides. Bulk compounds of rare earth and transition metals are discussed in the section Introduction. After a presentation of their main properties and applications, their structures are presented and their syntheses are discussed. The section Bulk Materials and Their Main Applications is dedicated to the growing field of nanoscaled metal oxysulfides. Lanthanide-based nanoparticles are discussed first, followed by transition-metal based nanoparticles.

C. Larquet, S. Carenco, Frontiers in Chem. 2020, doi:10.3389/fchem.2020.00179

Alkali cations are required for the colloidal synthesis of Ln₂O₂S nanoplates in organic solvent. We challenge the commonly accepted scenario of partial lanthanide substitution by the alkali. We demonstrate the formation of an alkali-stabilized oleate mesophase acting as a template for nanoparticle nucleation and growth.

C. Larquet, D. Carriere, A.-M. Nguyen, T. K.-C. Le, X. Frogneux-Plé, I. Génois, P. Le Griel, A. Gauzzi, C. Sanchez, S. Carenco, Chem. Mater. 2020, doi:10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b04059