Pt nanoparticles modified Au dendritic nanostructures: Facile synthesis and enhanced electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation

A facile and simple method is presented for the synthesis of bimetallic composites, Pt nanoparticles modified dendritic Au nanostructures (PtNPs/DGNs), in which dendritic Au was deposited on a glassy carbon electrode via a potentiostatic method and sphere-like Pt nanoparticles were decorated on Au substrates through a chemical reduction reaction. The compositions, morphologies, and structures of the PtNPs/DGNs were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results indicated that bimetallic composites were successfully synthesized and spherical Pt nanoparticles were dispersed evenly on dendritic Au substrates. The number of Pt nanoparticles on Au surface was regulated by controlling the chemical reduction deposition time, allowing the electrocatalytic properties of the composite towards methanol oxidation to be tuned. Electrochemical measurements, including cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, were performed to investigate the electrochemical properties and electrocatalytic behaviors of the PtNPs/DGNs towards methanol oxidation. Pt nanoparticles partially covered dendritic Au exhibited dramatically enhanced electrocatalytic activity (3.947 mA cm^?2), which was 2.65 times that of commercial carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles (1.487 mA cm^?2), along with much improved poisoning tolerance (current decline: 70.85% vs 99.36%). These enhanced performances were likely caused by the large active electrochemical area of the bimetallic nanocomposites and the change in the electronic structure of Pt when the Au surface was modified with fewer Pt nanoparticles.     

Controlled synthesis of Mn3O4/Co9S8–Ni3S2 on nickel foam as efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Advances in electrochemical interfaces have greatly facilitated the development of new energy systems that can replace traditional fossil fuels. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the core reaction in the new energy conversion system to produce hydrogen. Here, nanorods structure of Mn₃O₄/Co₉S₈–Ni₃S₂/NF-4 was designed and assembled. The Mn₃O₄ has served as an appropriate matrix to build a composite structure with Co₉S₈–Ni₃S₂ to enhance the stability of catalyst. And the introduction of Mn regulated the electronic structure of Ni and Co, which increased the OER activity of matericals. Further characterization and electrochemical testing have suggested that between polymetallic can effectively optimize conductivity and enhance reaction kinetics. Mn₃O₄/Co₉S₈–Ni₃S₂/NF-4 can achieve overpotential of 188 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in alkaline solution, with small Tafel slope of 43.2 mV dec^?1 and satisfactory stability of 30 h at 10 mA cm^?2. This work may show a feasible reference in the design of high-efficient OER catalysts.     

Sol-gel synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotube-LiMn2O4 nanocomposites as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

This study reports the development of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-LiMn₂O₄ nanocomposites by a facile sol-gel method. The elemental compositions, surface morphologies and structures of the nanocomposites are characterized with a view to their use as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries. The results indicate that the nanocomposite consists of LiMn₂O₄ nanoparticles containing undamaged MWCNTs. The nanocomposites show high cycle performance with a remarkable capacity retention of 99% after 20 cycles, compared with LiMn₂O₄ nanoparticles with a 9% loss of the initial capacity after 20 cycles. Measurements of a.c. impedance show that the charge-transfer resistance of the nanocomposites is much lower than that of spinel LiMn₂O₄. A cyclic voltammetry study further confirms higher reversibility of the nanocomposites compared with LiMn₂O₄ particles. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the nanocomposites is attributed to the formation of conductive networks by MWCNTs that act as intra-electrode wires, thereby facilitating charge-transfer among the spinel LiMn₂O₄ particles.     

A low-cost platinum-free electrocatalyst based on carbon quantum dots decorated Ni–Cu hierarchical nanocomposites for hydrogen evolution reaction

The effective Ni–Cu bimetallic nanocomposite was deposited on a glassy carbon electrode, GCE, that modified with carbon quantum dots, CQDs. The deposition process was done by one-step and controllable electrochemical method in an electrolyte of nickel and copper sulfate. The structural properties of composite studied by techniques such as X-ray diffraction, XRD, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, EDX, field emission scanning electron microscopy, FESEM, and transmission electron microscopy, TEM. Ni–Cu/RCQDs nanocomposite was applied as a cathode for catalysis of hydrogen evolution reaction, HER, in acidic media by cyclic voltammetry, CV, linear sweep voltammetry, LSV, chronoamperometry, CA, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS. The onset potential, E_onset, for the evolution of hydrogen at the current density of −10 mA cm⁻² for Ni–Cu/RCQDs was −230 mV vs. SHE that had a 100 mV shift to positive voltages in comparison with Ni–Cu catalyst. It can be related to the synergistic effect between metallic nanoparticles. V. dec⁻¹, respectively.     

Nitrogen-doped graphene-supported zinc sulfide nanorods as efficient Pt-free for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production

Nitrogen-doped graphene-ZnS composite (NG-ZnS) was synthesized by thermal treatment of graphene-ZnS composite (G-ZnS) in NH₃ medium. In the second step, the as-synthesized samples were deposited on indium tin oxide glass (ITO) by electrophoretic deposition for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. The as-prepared NG-ZnS-modified ITO electrode displayed excellent photocatalytic activity, rapid transient photocurrent response, superior stability and high recyclability compared to the pure ZnS and G-ZnS-modified ITO electrode due to the synergy between the photocatalytic activity of ZnS nanorods and the large surface area and high conductivity of N-graphene.     

Shaggy-like Ru-clusters decorated core-shell metal-organic framework-derived CoOx@NPC as high-efficiency catalyst for NaBH4 hydrolysis

Achieving high catalytic performance with the lowest possible amount of noble metal is critical for any catalytic applications. Herein, we report a controllable method of preparing low Ru loaded, N-doped porous carbon embedded with cobalt oxide species (Ru/CoO_x@NPC) using core-shell metal-organic framework (MOF) as a template. The optimized catalyst exhibits a highly powerful yet stable performance of H₂ production through sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) hydrolysis. The Ru/CoO_x@NPC catalyst shows a fast H₂ generation rate (8019.5 mL min^?1 g_cat^?1), high turnover frequency (1118.6 mol min^?1 mol_Ru^?1), and reusability. The carbonized ZIF-8 core and the ZIF-67 outer shell supplies a porous carbon moiety that not only improves the conductivity and but also provides uniform distribution of the active sites. The XPS analysis indicates that there is a strong electronic interaction between Co species and Ru species. The superior catalytic performance can be attributable to the large specific surface area as well as the synergy between Co-oxide and Ru clusters.     

Enhanced hydrogen storage capacity of Pt-loaded CNT@MOF-5 hybrid composites

We report on an easy synthesis method for the preparation of a hybrid composite of Pt-loaded MWCNTs@MOF-5 [Zn₄O(benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate)₃] that greatly enhanced hydrogen storage capacity at room temperature. To prepare the composite, we first prepared Pt-loaded MWCNTs, which were then incorporated in-situ into the MOF-5 crystals. The obtained composite was characterized by various techniques such as powder X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy, porosimetry by nitrogen adsorption, and hydrogen adsorption. The analyses confirmed that the product has a highly crystalline structure with a Langmuir specific surface area of over 2000 m²/g. The hybrid composite was shown to have a hydrogen storage capacity of 1.25 wt% at room temperature and 100 bar, and 1.89 wt% at cryogenic temperature and 1 bar. These H₂ storage capacities represent significant increases over those of virgin MOF-5s and Pt-loaded MWCNTs.     

Photoactivity of MWCNTs modified α-Fe2O3 photoelectrode towards efficient solar water splitting

MWCNTs (Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes) modified α-Fe₂O₃ (hematite) photoelectrodes have been investigated for their possible application in hydrogen generation via photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water. Enhanced photoresponse seen in comparison to the pristine α-Fe₂O₃ films is credited to the effective charge facilitation and charge separation provided by MWCNT conducting support. 0.2 wt% MWCNTs modified α-Fe₂O₃ thin film exhibited the maximum photocurrent density of 2.8 mA/cm² at 0.75 V/SCE. Measured values of flat band potential, donor density, resistance, Applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) and Incident-photon-to current-conversion efficiency (IPCE) support the observed enhancement in photocurrent.     

Combination effect of ZnO and activated carbon for solar assisted photocatalytic degradation of Direct Blue 53

The degradation efficiency of AC–ZnO composite photocatalyst was evaluated with solar light using an azo dye Direct blue 53 (DB53) at room temperature. Activity measurements performed under solar radiation have shown good results for the photodegradation of DB53. The synergistic effect observed was ascribed to an extended adsorption of DB53 on activated carbon followed by its transfer to ZnO where it was photocatalytically degraded. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of AC–ZnO when compared to ZnO is found to be due to this synergistic effect. A study on the effects of various parameters like concentration of dye, amount of catalyst and initial pH on the photodegradation of DB53 has been carried out to find optimum conditions.     

PtCo@NCNTs cathode catalyst using ZIF-67 for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF) is one of the potential candidates as highly conducting networks with large surface area with a possibility to be used as catalyst support for low temperature fuel cells. In the present study, highly active state-of-the-art PtCo@NCNTs (Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanotube) catalyst was synthesized by pyrolyzing ZIF-67 along with Pt precursor under flowing ArH₂ atmosphere. The multi-walled NCNTs were densely grown on the surface of ZIF particles after pyrolysis. The high resolution TEM examination was employed to examine the nature of the PtCo particles as well as multi-walled NCNTs. Rotating disk electrode study was used for measuring oxygen reduction reaction performance for PtCo@NCNTs in 0.1 M HClO₄ and compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst. Fuel cell performance with PtCo@NCNT and commercial Pt/C catalysts was evaluated at 70 °C using Nafion-212 electrolyte using H₂ and O₂ gases (100% RH) and the observed peak power density of 630 and 560 mW cm^?2, respectively.