scholarly journals Solid-Solutions as Supports and Robust Photocatalysts and Electrocatalysts: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Charles ◽  
Ikegwuonu P. Ebuka ◽  
Ndepana A. Gaya

AbstractSome solid solutions have been strongly utilized over the years as good materials for the synthesis of electrocatalysts and photoctalysts. Sometimes, they are used as supports in order to improve electrocatalytic and photocatalytic properties. We show various achievements of solid solutions as good electrocatalysts, and also, good electrocatalysts support materials in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Also, we demonstrate various works utilizing solid solutions as good photocatalysts, and good photocatalysts support materials in overall water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. In all these reports, solid solutions proved to posses the necessary properties needed of any material as electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. In many cases, their use as catalysts supports recorded great improvements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was largely used to confirm the chemical environment of the results obtained, together with X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the electrochemical methods, cyclic voltammograms (CVA), chronoamperometry and rotating disk electrode (RDE), were also carried out. Linear sweep voltametry (LSV) curve was carried out in some cases to measure the current at a working electrode, and tables were shown for clear explanation. In addition, a photoluminescence spectrum (PL) was used to probe the electronic structure of the various solid solutions.

Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehan Anwar ◽  
Naseem Iqbal ◽  
Saadia Hanif ◽  
Tayyaba Noor ◽  
Xuan Shi ◽  
...  

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been at the center stage of material science in the recent past because of their structural properties and wide applications in catalysis. MOFs have also been used as hard templates for the preparation of catalysts. In this study, highly active CuPt/NC electrocatalyst was synthesized by pyrolyzing Cu-tpa MOF along with Pt precursor under flowing Ar-H2 atmosphere. The catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Rotating disk electrode study was performed to determine the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity for CuPt/NC in 0.1 M HClO4 at different revolutions per minute (400, 800, 1200, and 1600) and it was also compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst. Further the ORR performance was evaluated by K-L plots and Tafel slope. CuPt/NC shows excellent ORR performance with onset potential of 0.9 V (vs. RHE), which is comparable with commercial Pt/C. The ORR activity of CuPt/NC is demonstrated as an efficient electrocatalyst for fuel cell.


2011 ◽  
Vol 675-677 ◽  
pp. 97-100
Author(s):  
He Xiang Zhong ◽  
Hua Min Zhang ◽  
Mei Ri Wang

The ruthenium-based electrocatalysts supported on carbon black were prepared by the decarbonylation of the transition metal carbonyl with the 1,6-hexanediol as the solvent. The catalysts were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). The electrochemical behaviours of the catalysts were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The catalysts demonstrate attractive catalytic activity towards the ORR. The catalyst is expected to be promising alternative non-Pt electrocatalysts for PEMFC.


2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Hernández Maya ◽  
A.J. Armenta González ◽  
O. Ugalde ◽  
M.T. Oropeza Guzmán ◽  
P. Roquero

The activities of a series of carbon-supported bimetallic catalysts, with different active phases loadings, were tested towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Pt was used in all materials and its loading was kept constant. Mo, W and Ru were used as promoting phases. Rotating Disk electrode experiments revealed that Pt-Ru displayed the best performance in oxygen reduction among the studied materials. The materials with the highest loadings of the second metal revealed the highest activities. X-Ray Diffraction studies (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of homogeneously dispersed metallic ruthenium and different tungsten or molybdenum oxides in the corresponding catalysts. No evidence of alloying was found, and thus the catalytic performances appear to be related to the distribution and interaction of the active phases.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3858
Author(s):  
Monica Dan ◽  
Adriana Vulcu ◽  
Sebastian A. Porav ◽  
Cristian Leostean ◽  
Gheorghe Borodi ◽  
...  

Four N-doped graphene materials with a nitrogen content ranging from 8.34 to 13.1 wt.% are prepared by the ball milling method. This method represents an eco-friendly mechanochemical process that can be easily adapted for industrial-scale productivity and allows both the exfoliation of graphite and the synthesis of large quantities of functionalized graphene. These materials are characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry measurements, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy, and then, are tested towards the oxygen reduction reaction by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode methods. Their responses towards ORR are analysed in correlation with their properties and use for the best ORR catalyst identification. However, even though the mechanochemical procedure and the characterization techniques are clean and green methods (i.e., water is the only solvent used for these syntheses and investigations), they are time consuming and, generally, a low number of materials can be prepared, characterized and tested. In order to eliminate some of these limitations, the use of regression learner and reverse engineering methods are proposed for facilitating the optimization of the synthesis conditions and the materials’ design. Thus, the machine learning algorithms are applied to data containing the synthesis parameters, the results obtained from different characterization techniques and the materials response towards ORR to quickly provide predictions that allow the best synthesis conditions or the best electrocatalysts’ identification.


Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Hideaki Sasaki ◽  
Keisuke Sakamoto ◽  
Masami Mori ◽  
Tatsuaki Sakamoto

CeO2-based solid solutions in which Pd partially substitutes for Ce attract considerable attention, owing to their high catalytic performances. In this study, the solid solution (Ce1−xPdxO2−δ) with a high Pd content (x ~ 0.2) was synthesized through co-precipitation under oxidative conditions using molten nitrate, and its structure and thermal decomposition were examined. The characteristics of the solid solution, such as the change in a lattice constant, inhibition of sintering, and ionic states, were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM−EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)−EDS, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The synthesis method proposed in this study appears suitable for the easy preparation of CeO2 solid solutions with a high Pd content.


Author(s):  
Chakkrapong Chaiburi ◽  
Bernd Cermenek ◽  
Birgit Elvira Pichler ◽  
Christoph Grimmer ◽  
Viktor Hacker

This paper describes electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells (ADEFCs), using the non-noble metal electrocatalyst Ag/C, MnO2/C and AgMnO2/C. These electrocatalysts showed tolerance toward ethanol in alkaline media and therefore resistance to ethanol crossover in ADEFCs. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), cyclic voltammetry, and rotating disk electrode (RDE) were employed to determine the morphology, composition, and electrochemical activity of the catalysts. The herein presented results confirm that the AgMnO2/C electrocatalyst significantly outperforms the state-of-the art ORR catalyst platinum.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-308
Author(s):  
David Stevens ◽  
Stephen Wang ◽  
Robbie Sanderson ◽  
Gary C. Liu ◽  
George D. Vernstrom ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Fu Hung

AbstractElectrocatalysis offers an alternative solution for the energy crisis because it lowers the activation energy of reaction to produce economic fuels more accessible. Non-noble electrocatalysts have shown their capabilities to practical catalytic applications as compared to noble ones, whose scarcity and high price limit the development. However, the puzzling catalytic processes in non-noble electrocatalysts hinder their advancement. In-situ techniques allow us to unveil the mystery of electrocatalysis and boost the catalytic performances. Recently, various in-situ X-ray techniques have been rapidly developed, so that the whole picture of electrocatalysis becomes clear and explicit. In this review, the in-situ X-ray techniques exploring the structural evolution and chemical-state variation during electrocatalysis are summarized for mainly oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). These approaches include X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The information seized from these in-situ X-ray techniques can effectively decipher the electrocatalysis and thus provide promising strategies for advancing the electrocatalysts. It is expected that this review could be conducive to understanding these in-situ X-ray approaches and, accordingly, the catalytic mechanism to better the electrocatalysis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Garcia-Contreras ◽  
S. M. Fernandez-Valverde ◽  
J. R. Vargas-Garcia

CoNi and PtNi film electrocatalysts were prepared by Metal-Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) and their electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.5 M KOH was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and Rotating Disk Electrode techniques. Experiments included working electrodes of Co, Ni and Pt prepared also by MOCVD for comparison. The film electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electronic Microscopy and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Films thickness was about 200-250 nm and nanocrystallites were found in the range of 12 to 30 nm. In the same experimental conditions, the overpotential for the ORR at a current density of 1 mA cm-2 for PtNi film was 120 mV lower than the overpotential of Pt film electrocatalyst, and an enhanced activity was observed on PtNi with respect to Pt. The electrochemical response for the oxygen reduction reaction on CoNi film was higher than those of elemental Ni and Co films obtained by MOCVD. A good stability was obtained in a chronoamperometry test for the PtNi electrode, only affected by oxygen flow variations.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Julia Garcia-Cardona ◽  
Francisco Alcaide ◽  
Enric Brillas ◽  
Ignasi Sirés ◽  
Pere L. Cabot

Pt(Cu) nanoparticles supported on CMK3 and CMK8 ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) have been synthesized by electroless deposition of Cu followed by galvanic exchange with Pt. The structural characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed the formation of Pt(Cu) nanoparticles of 4–5 nm, in which PtCu alloys with contracted fcc Pt lattice and 70–80 at.% Pt was identified. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated that the Pt(Cu) nanoparticles were mainly composed of a PtCu alloy core covered by a Pt-rich shell, in agreement with the steady cyclic voltammograms, which did not show any Cu oxidation peaks. Electroactive surface areas up to about 70 m2 gPt−1 were obtained. The onset potentials for CO oxidation and the oxygen reduction reaction were more negative and positive, respectively, as compared to Pt/C, thus indicating higher activity of these Pt(Cu) catalysts with respect to the latter. Based on the corresponding binding energies, these better activities were attributed to the favorable geometric and ligand effects of Cu on Pt, which were able to reduce the adsorption energy of the intermediates on Pt. Pt(Cu)/CMK3 showed competitive mass and specific activities, as well as better stability than Pt/C.


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