Two-Dimensional Metal Phosphorus Trichalcogenide Nanostructure for Sustainable Energy Conversion

The rational design of novel two-dimensional (2D) materials has long been sought, with a particular objective in catalysis, energy storage, and conversion. The discovery of 2D metal phosphorus trichalcogenides (MPX₃) opens lots of success and breakthroughs in diverse fields such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, battery storage, and membrane technologies. In this chapter, a comprehensive overview of the synthesis strategies and applications involving 2D MPX₃-based nanomaterials is presented. The recent development in bottom-up and top-down approaches for obtaining low-dimensional nanostructures and their limitations are briefly discussed. Their common [P₂X₆]^4- unit, which exhibits the advantage of monitoring the adsorption-desorption chemistry in several reactions along with the rich toolbox to entertain various metal elements in their structure, makes them act as a suitable candidate in catalysis and energy storage device. Thus, the present chapter highlights the advances of 2D MPX₃ nanomaterials and promising potential applications in sustainable energy conversion.