Electrospinning as a tool in fabricating hydrated porous cobalt phosphate fibrous network as high rate OER electrocatalysts in alkaline and neutral media

Electrospinning (ES) is a most reliable method for synthesizing one dimensional (1D) fibrous material. Fibrous materials are having peculiar interest owing to their fascinating properties. For efficient hydrogen fuel generation, electrocatalytic water splitting is one of the finest way of producing hydrogen in a pure form. But it is encountered by the counter oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in more often. As of now, noble metal based catalysts are utilized in the commercial sector. Some of the disadvantages associated with the noble materials are restrict their usage commercially. To address this issue, herein, we have synthesized One dimensional (1D), hydrated porous cobalt phosphate fibrous network by an ES method and act as an electrocatalyst for OER in both alkaline and neutral media for the first time, which exhibits an overpotential of 245 and 457 mV respectively at a current density of 10 mAcm^?2 with astonishing stability.     

In situ growth of nickel phosphide nanoparticles on inner wall of graphitic carbon nitride tubes for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

A facile two-step approach is employed to prepare novel Ni₂P@CNT hybrid photocatalyst, which is assembled by nickel phosphide (Ni₂P) nanoparticles on the inner wall of graphitic carbon nitride tube (CNT). This unique microstructure endows Ni₂P@CNT with close interfacial interaction, promotes efficient separation of photoexcited charge carriers and provides enriched sites for photocatalytic reaction. Moreover, the hybrid system is found to exhibit more superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity than pure CNT and Pt-decorated CNT (Pt@CNT). As a consequence, the work illustrates the essential role of experimental process on the final morphology and performance, which is expected to pave a new method to construct various kind of excellent photocatalyst.     

Electrochemical determination of niobium cathode as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation in acidic media

Hydrogen gas (H₂) is notified as a renewable energy carrier. It is wanted to discover a low-cost electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to substitute the high-cost Pt in electrolysis cell. Niobium electrocatalyst nominated to substitute noble materials for electrocatalytic H₂ production and its electrochemical manner was estimated in H₂SO₄ acid of various concentrations utilizing a steady-state polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The influences of acid concentration, cathodic potential and temperature on the H₂ creation were examined. The outcomes display that HER on Nb electrode proceeds by the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. EIS tests, under open circuit and under cathodic polarization, were performed and the fitting has been done utilizing a suggested model for the electrode/electrolyte interface. Apparent activation energies (E_a) were estimated to be ca. 10.5 kJ mol^?1 for the HER on Nb. Thus, Nb is a good electrocatalyst for the cathodic H₂ manufacturing.     

NiMo/Cu-nanosheets/Ni-foam composite as a high performance electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution over a wide pH range

We designed and fabricated non-precious and highly efficient electrocatalysts of nickelmolybdenum/copper-nanosheets/nickel-foam composites (NiMo/Cu-NS/NF) by step electrodepositions, combining with chemical oxidation method. The catalysts were charaterized by means of SEM, XRD and XPS spectra. Their electrocatalytic activities were assessed by hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) over a wide pH range, where acidic, neutral and alkaline electrolytes were used, respectively. Benefiting from the unique midlayer Cu nanosheets (NS) architecture and optimum Mo–Ni composition at the surface layer which led to high electronic conductivity and large electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), the NiMo/Cu-NS/NF-2 catalyst displayed superior electrocatalytic activities with low overpotentials of η₁₀ = 43, 86 and 89 mV in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, 1.0 M PBS and 1.0 M KOH electrolyte, respectively. Especially in the acidic condition, it exhibited the best electrocatalytic activity with smaller Tafel slope of 54 mV dec^?1 and higher exchange current density of 1.93 mA cm^?2.     

Surface controlled synthesis of Cu2FeSnS4 particles for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Cu₂FeSnS₄ (CFTS) particles are synthesized using different surfactants such as thioglycolic acid (TGA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via the solution process. The effect of surfactants on crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and electrocatalytic properties of CFTS particles are investigated. CFTS particles with a better crystalline phase are obtained in PVP (surfactant), while impurity phases are observed in TGA and PVA (surfactants). The morphology of CFTS is significantly changed when a different surfactant is used in the synthesis process. The mixture of aggregate and porous (1 μm) particles is observed when PVA is used as a surfactant to synthesize CFTS particles. At the same time, highly porous particles having nanosheets and nanoparticles at the surface are obtained in the case of PVP. In the TGA case, spherical particles with 1 μm size are observed. The electrocatalytic ability of all CFTS particles toward hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) is studied in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. The overpotential of PVP-based CFTS particles is the lowest as ƞ = 421 mV at 10 mA/cm² compared to the other two samples. CFTS particles synthesized using PVP exhibit enhanced electro-catalytic performance due to higher surface area.     

Magnetic field enhancement of electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction probed by magneto-optics

External magnetic fields affect various electrochemical processes and can be used to enhance the efficiency of the electrochemical water splitting reaction. However, the driving forces behind this effect are poorly understood due to the analytical challenges of the available interface-sensitive techniques. Here, we present a set-up based on magneto- and electro-optical probing, which allows to juxtapose the magnetic properties of the electrode with the electrochemical current densities in situ at various applied potentials and magnetic fields. On the example of an archetypal hydrogen evolution catalyst, Pt (in a form of Co/Pt superlattice), we provide evidence that a magnetic field acts on the electrochemical double layer affecting the local concentration gradient of hydroxide ions, which simultaneously affects the magneto-optical and magnetocurrent response.     

Graphene-based electrocatalysts: Hydrogen evolution reactions and overall water splitting

Recently, carbon-based materials (e.g., graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon quantum dots) have been used as electrocatalysts to catalyze the reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Among them, graphene has attracted attention as an electrocatalyst, and its electrocatalytic performances have been improved by doping with metals and non-metals, surface and defect engineering, and hybrid development. In this perspective, the present paper reviewed the recent advances (2018 onwards) on the progress of graphene-based electrocatalysts for HER and overall water splitting (OWS). It is emphasizing strategies for optimizing electrocatalytic properties followed by challenges and future outlook. This review will provide the essential ideas and strategies that can help design graphene-based electrocatalysts of high performance that can be implemented for sustainable energy application.     

Facile in-situ deposition of Pt nanoparticles on nano-pore stainless steel composite electrodes for high active hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen is regarded as a clean and highly efficient renewable energy. The platinum catalytic electrode is widely used in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but it has affected its commercial application because of its high cost. Therefore, the study on cost-effective and high-active catalysts toward HER is required to realise large-scale hydrogen production. In this work, we present a novel Pt/NPSSF catalyst prepared by a one-step in-situ deposition of Pt precursor on a nano-porous stainless-steel film (NPSSF) substrate. The prepared catalyst was evaluated in acidic and alkaline conditions for its HER activities. The preliminary results demonstrate that the Pt/NPSSF electrodes have superior catalytic activity for HER. The hydrogen overpotential of Pt/NPSSF is ?70mV (RHE) in the alkaline solution, which is lower than the Pt electrode of ?184mV. At the same time, we also obtained ?71.2 mV of overpotential for the Pt/NPSSF electrode, which is similar to the ?73mV of Pt electrode in the acid solution. The Tafel graphs plotted from the LSV curves indicate the different HER mechanism in the alkaline and acid solution. The HER kinetics of the Pt/NPSSF were studied using EIS. Comparing Pt/NPSSF to Pt electrode, the multi-pore structures of NPSSF and the Pt nanoparticles active sites decrease the charge transfer-resistance for the HER process. The facile preparation, high efficiency and low value of the Pt/NPSSF composite electrodes demonstrate the promising applications in HER.     

Study of spatial and temporal evolution of Ar and F atoms in SF6/Ar microsecond pulsed discharge by optical emission spectroscopy

The study of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) discharge is vital for its application in gas-insulated equipment. Direct current partial discharge (PD) may cause SF₆ decomposition, and the decomposed products of SF₆, such as F atoms, play a dominant role in the breakdown of insulation systems. In this study, the PD caused by metal protrusion defects is simulated by a needle-plate electrode using pulsed high voltage in SF₆/Ar mixtures. The spatial and temporal characteristics of SF6/Ar plasma are analyzed by measuring the emission spectra of F and Ar atoms, which are important for understanding the characteristics of PD. The spatial resolved results show that both F and Ar atom spectral intensities increase first from the plate anode to the needle and then decrease under the conditions of a background pressure of 400 Pa, peak voltage of −1000 V, frequency of 2 kHz, pulse width of 60 μs, and electrode gap of 5–9 mm. However, the distribution characteristics of F and Ar are significantly different. The temporal distribution results show that the spectral intensity of Ar decreases first and then increases slowly, while the spectral intensity of F increases slowly for the duration of the pulsed discharge at the electrode gap of 5 mm and the pulse width of 40–80 μs.     

多氢酸酸化反应特征及动力学

利用自制多氢酸液XS-1进行静态岩粉溶蚀与岩心流动实验,通过SEM、ICP等实验考察了多氢酸的缓速性与预防二次沉淀性能,并研究了多氢酸与岩心反应动力学特性。结果表明,XS-1多氢酸液具有良好的缓速与预防二次沉淀性能,反应后残酸的极限浓度为0.296 1 mol/L,酸液有效作用时间为6~7 h。在该多氢酸体系下岩心渗透率提高至4.15倍,在此条件下以酸岩反应动力学参数模型建立动力学方程,反应速率比同条件下普通酸液小,进一步证明多氢酸具有一定的缓速性。