Phase-pure ditungsten carbide nanoparticles covered by carbon as efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Development of economical noble-metal-free electrocatalysts is important for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, phase-pure ditungsten carbide (W₂C) nanocrystallines covered with thin carbon layer were fabricated via simple pyrolysis of urea and WO₃ wires under catalyst-free condition at 700 °C. Phase composition of as-prepared samples, including W₂N, W₂C or WC, could be modulated by changing the amount of urea. Moreover, urea not only regulated their phase composition and carbon content, but also acted as a reducing agent for facilitating the formation of phase-pure W₂C. Under optimized phase composition, the sample displayed excellent HER activity and remarkable stability in acid-solution. These prominent electrocatalytic performances could be attributed to phase-pure W₂C dispersed in thin carbon layer with high conductivity, leading to enhanced the activity area. This study exhibits simple route for the fabrication of economical electrocatalysts under mild reaction conditions.     

Amperometric biosensor for nitrite and hydrogen peroxide based on hemoglobin immobilized on gold nanoparticles/polythionine/platinum nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

BACKGROUND: This paper describes a convenient and effective strategy to construct a highly sensitive amperometric biosensor for nitrite (NO₂^?) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). First, Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, which promoted electron transfer and enhanced the loading of poly‐thionine (PTH). Subsequently, thionine (TH) was electropolymerized on the PtNPs/GCE, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were assembled onto the PTH film to improve the absorption capacity of hemoglobin (Hb) and further facilitate electron transfer. Finally, Hb was immobilized onto the electrode through the AuNPs. RESULTS: Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the fabrication process of the sensing surface. Under optimum conditions, the biosensors can be used for the determination of NO₂^? in the concentration range 70 nmol L^?1 to 1.2 mmo L^?1 and of H₂O₂ in the range 4.9 µmol L^?1 to 6.8 mmol L^?1. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were 20 nmol L^?1 and 1.4 µmol L^?1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The biosensor exhibits good analytical performance, acceptable stability and good selectivity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Oxygen-deficient MoOx/Ni3S2 heterostructure grown on nickel foam as efficient and durable self-supported electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

High-performance and ultra-durable electrocatalysts are vital for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during water splitting. Herein, by one-pot solvothermal method, MoO_x/Ni₃S₂ spheres comprising Ni₃S₂ nanoparticles inside and oxygen-deficient amorphous MoO_x outside in situ grow on Ni foam (NF), to assembly the heterostructure composites of MoO_x/Ni₃S₂/NF. By adjusting volume ratio of the solvents of ethanol to water, the optimized MoO_x/Ni₃S₂/NF-11 exhibits the best HER performance, requiring an extremely low overpotential of 76 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA∙cm^‒2 (η₁₀ = 76 mV) and an ultra-small Tafel slope of 46 mV∙dec^‒1 in 0.5 mol∙L^‒1 H₂SO₄. More importantly, the catalyst shows prominent high catalytic stability for HER (> 100 h). The acid-resistant MoO_x wraps the inside Ni₃S₂/NF to ensure the high stability of the catalyst under acidic conditions. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the existing oxygen vacancy and MoO_x/Ni₃S₂ heterostructure are both beneficial to the reduced Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption (|∆G_H*|) over Mo sites, which act as main active sites. The heterostructure effectively decreases the formation energy of O vacancy, leading to surface reconstruction of the catalyst, further improving HER performance. The MoO_x/Ni₃S₂/NF is promising to serve as a highly effective and durable electrocatalyst toward HER.     

Platinum-alloy nanostructured thin film catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

In an effort to study advanced catalytic materials for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a number of metallic alloy nanostructured thin film (NSTF) catalysts have been characterized by rotating disk electrode (RDE). Optimal loadings for the ORR and activity enhancement compared to conventional carbon supported nanoparticles (Pt/C) were established. The most efficient catalyst was found to be PtNi alloy with 55 wt% of Pt. The enhancement in specific activity is more than one order of magnitude, while the improvement factor in mass activity is 2.5 compared to Pt/C. Further lowering of the platinum to nickel ratio in NSTF catalysts did not lead to increased mass activity values.     

Tuning the electronic structure of NiCoP arrays through V doping for pH-universal hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst

The exploration of cost-effective, high-performance, and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) over wide pH range (0–14) is of paramount importance for future renewable energy conversion technologies. Regulation of electronic structure through doping vanadium atoms is a feasible construction strategy to enhance catalytic activities, electron transfer capability, and stability of the HER electrode. Herein, V-doped NiCoP nanosheets on carbon fiber paper (CFP) (denoted as V_x-NiCoP/CFP) were constructed by doping V modulation on NiCoP nanosheets on CFP and used for pH-universal HER. Benefiting from the abundant catalytic sites and optimized hydrogen binding thermodynamics, the resultant V₁₅-NiCoP/CFP demonstrates a significantly improved HER catalytic activity, requiring overpotentials of 46.5, 52.4, and 85.3 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA·cm^–2 in 1 mol·L^–1 KOH, 0.5 mol·L^–1 H₂SO₄, and 1 mol·L^–1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) electrolytes, respectively. This proposed cation-doping strategy provides a new inspiration to rationally enhance or design new-type nonprecious metal-based, highly efficient, and pH-universal electrocatalysts for various energy conversion systems.     

Ni-Fe基析氧阳极材料的研究进展

寻找一种高效、稳定和低成本的析氧阳极材料对于在碱性环境中电解水的研究具有非常重要的实际意义。近年来,Ni-Fe基材料以其低成本及在碱性条件下具有高催化活性的特点成为析氧反应电极材料的研究热点。本文概述了近几年国内外学者对不同的Ni-Fe基析氧材料(包括Ni-Fe合金、Ni-Fe氧化物、Ni-Fe层状双金属氢氧化物及Ni-Fe基复合材料等)在合成方法、物理形态、化学结构和催化性能等方面所进行的研究,介绍了Ni-Fe基材料的析氧反应机理的进展,探究了析氧反应活性相以及Fe的掺入对Ni基氢氧化物的结构和活性的影响,最后指出了合成方法的改进及详细反应机理的探究将会成为未来Ni-Fe基析氧阳极材料的重点研究方向。     

Gas absorption with exothermic bimolecular reaction in a thin liquid film: Fast reactions

A problem of gas absorption with a fast nonisothermal bimolecular reaction in a thin liquid film has been analysed. Approximate analytical solutions for the interfacial temperature rise and enhancement factor have been derived incorporating the influence of depletion of liquid reactant concentration at the interface. The effects of heat generation, heat dissipation and reaction rate parameters on enhancement factor and interfacial temperature rise have been discussed. For a certain range of parameters, multiple steady state solutions of enhancement factor and interfacial temperature rise are observed. Another interesting observation is that as the value of a dimensionless parameter ? increases, the enhancement factor approaches its instantaneous asymptote which is the same as that for the isothermal case in an instantaneous regime. The analysis presented here is simple and avoids complex numerical computations and it is likely to be useful in design applications.     

Surface morphology of adsorbed sulfur‐functionalized polystyrene thin film on gold on the basis of atomic force microscopic observation

Polystyrene thin film containing one‐terminal thiol (PS–SH) was spin‐coated and adsorbed from 0.1 to 0.001 wt % of polymer solution in toluene onto evaporated gold (Au) film supported on Si‐wafer substrate. The effect of polymer solution concentration on the aggregation structure of PS–SH thin films was determined on the basis of atomic force microscopic (AFM) observation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1248–1252, 2002     

电催化析氢催化剂研究进展

氢能热值高和环境友好性强等特点使其成为未来能源界最具发展潜力的能源之一。电催化析氢反应（hydrogen evolution reaction,HER）作为一种绿色、可持续的产氢方法成为近年来广泛研究的主题。发展高性能、低成本、高活性的析氢催化剂是目前该领域面临的主要挑战。本文总结了近年来高性能催化剂用于HER反应的进展,重点介绍HER反应的基本原理,评估HER催化剂催化性能的典型方法,过渡金属以及化合物、非金属催化剂以及单原子催化剂等电催化析氢催化剂的最新研究进展,系统讨论了催化活性与催化剂形态、结构、组成和合成方法之间的联系,并对催化剂的合成策略、活性位点的固有活性、如何提高活性中心的内在活性和活性位点的数量进行了展望。     

In situ synthesis of Pt nanoparticles in hyperbranched thin film for electrocatalytic reduction of dioxygen

Hyperbranched thin film (HTF) with amino and imino groups, which can accommodate PtCl₆²⁻, was synthesized with small organic molecules on gold substrate based on SN₂ displacement reaction. Platinum nanoparticles (Pt_NPs) were in situ synthesized by electrochemically reduction of precursors, PtCl₆²⁻, within HTF. The prepared films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was confirmed that densely packed Pt_NPs were prepared with a narrow size distribution. EIS indicated that HTF inhibits electron transfer slightly while Pt nanoparticles in the HTF enhanced the electron-transfer ability greatly. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) indicated that HTF containing Pt_NPs exhibited a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical reduction of dioxygen. The quantity of Pt_NPs could be expediently controlled by the thickness of HTF. So the catalytic ability can be tailored correspondingly.     

Nowotny phase Mo3+2xSi3C0.6 dispersed in a porous SiC/C matrix: A novel catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

The ternary Nowotny phase (NP), with a composition Mo_3+2xSi₃C_0.6 (x = 0.9-0.764), is found to be catalytically active in the field of electrochemical water splitting. The NP embedded in a porous SiC/C nanocomposite matrix is synthesized via a single-source-precursor approach which involves the reaction of allylhydridopolycarbosilane with MoO₂(acac)₂. Thermal treatment of the single-source-precursor up to 1400°C in a protective atmosphere results in the in situ formation of nanocrystalline Mo_3+2xSi₃C_0.6 immobilized in a thermally and corrosion-stable SiC/C matrix. The weight fractions of the observed crystalline phases Mo_3+2xSi₃C_0.6 and SiC amount to ca. 28 (26) and 72 (74) wt%, respectively, when prepared at 1400°C (1350°C). The porosity of the formed nanocomposite is adjusted by the addition of polystyrene (PS) as a pore former to the single-source-precursor resulting in a specific surface area up to 206 m²/g. The electrocatalytic activity of the Mo_3+2xSi₃C_0.6/C/SiC nanocomposite with respect to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is characterized by low over potentials of 22 and 138 mV vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for applying 1 and 10 mA cm⁻² of current density, respectively. The analyzed electrocatalytic performance exceeds that of most Mo-based electrocatalysts and shows high stability (over 90%) during 35 hours.     

Tunable Ni/Fe-Mo carbide catalyst with high activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction

Cost-effective catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are attractive for sustainable production of H₂ fuel. Herein, a series of tunable Ni/Fe-Mo carbide catalysts have been synthesized via a sol-gel method coupling with a subsequent high temperature carbonization process. The amount of nickel and iron was tuned in the Mo₇/C precursors, accomplishing a favourable performance of noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for HER. As expected, the designed Ni₁₀Fe₄Mo₇/C catalyst displays an enhanced catalytic activity toward hydrogen production with an ultralow overpotential (η₁₀ = 110 mV) and striking kinetics (η_onset = 58 mV, k = 54 mV · dec⁻¹) in the alkaline electrolyte (1 M KOH), which are comparable to those of the commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst. Such excellent performance of Ni₁₀Fe₄Mo₇/C could be attributed to the high intrinsic activities of Ni-based alloys (NiMo₄) and Mo₂C, as well as to the lattice contraction in the Mo₂C unit cell, in accordance with its high electrochemical surface area (~133 m² · g⁻¹) and low charge-transfer resistance (~31.5 Ω) for the associated electrode.     

Trifunctional electrocatalysts based on feather-like NiCoP 3D architecture for hydrogen evolution,oxygen evolution,and urea oxidation reactions

Finding efficient and versatile catalysts that can both produce clean energy H₂ and treat wastewater is an important matter to solve energy shortages and wastewater pollution. Herein, a feather-like NiCoP supported on NF was synthesized via the two-step hydrothermal-phosphorization process. NiCoP/NF requires only overpotentials of 44 and 203 mV to reach 10 mA cm^?2 for HER and OER in 1 M KOH, respectively. Besides, NiCoP/NF requires only 1.13 V (vs RHE) to achieve 10 mA cm^?2 in 1 M KOH containing 0.33 M urea. DFT calculation shows that NiCoP exhibits enhanced DOS in the Fermi level attachment, which promotes charge transfer. Subsequently, the trifunctional NiCoP/NF, for overall water splitting, requires a lower potential of 1.48 V to gain 10 mA cm^?2 in 1 M KOH. For urea electrolysis, NiCoP/NF requires just 1.36 V to drive 10 mA cm^?2 in 1 M KOH with 0.33 M urea. This work provides extraordinary insights into electrolytic hydrogen production and wastewater treatment through simple preparative methods. The performance of the prepared catalyst is at a high level in non-noble metal.     

Oxygen reduction activity of Pt and Pt-Mn-Co electrocatalysts sputtered on nano-structured thin film support

We report on extensive measurements of oxygen reduction activity of Pt and Pt-Co-Mn electrocatalysts using the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) method. The electrocatalysts were prepared by sputtering from Pt or Pt, Co and Mn targets onto 3M's nano-structured thin film support (NSTF) structures. The area specific activity of Pt/NSTF, measured in 0.1 M HClO₄ and at room temperature, is similar to that of bulk Pt. The area specific measurements show a 20 mV reduction in the Pt-Co-Mn/NSTF overpotential compared to Pt/NSTF. The corresponding kinetic gain in the area specific activity of the ternary alloy is about a factor of two. This ORR enhancement factor observed in the ternary Pt-Co-Mn/NSTF by RRDE measurements is similar to the results obtained in 50 cm² H₂/air fuel cells.     

电解水制氢MoS2催化剂研究与氢能技术展望

氢气具有质量轻、热值高、燃烧产物清洁等优点,被认为是理想的能源载体。氢气既能作为燃料电池的燃料,又能作为储能介质调节风能、太阳能发电系统的随机性、间歇性,正在成为未来能源的重要组成部分。为了促进电解水制氢技术与装备发展,研究高效电催化剂十分重要。本文围绕“粉末型”与“自支撑型”电催化剂结构特征,讨论基于二硫化钼（MoS₂）的析氢电催化剂的研究现状,阐述了催化活性位点调控策略与提高导电性两条技术途径,并以析氢过电位和塔菲尔曲线斜率为依据,比较不同方法制备的二硫化钼电催化剂的催化活性。表明提高二硫化钼晶相稳定性、调节其电子结构和优化催化电极结构等方法,将进一步提高基于二硫化钼的析氢催化电极性能。     

Polypyrrole@NiCo hybrid nanotube arrays as high performance electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution

The polypyrrole(PPy)@NiCo hybrid nanotube arrays have been successfully fabricated as a high performance electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solution. The strong electronic interactions between PPy and NiCo alloy are confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectra. Because these interations can remarkably reduce the apparent activation energy (E_a) for HER and enhance the turnover frequency of catalysts, the electrocatalytic performance of PPy@NiCo hybrid nanotube arrays are significantly improved. The electrochemical tests show that the PPy@NiCo hybrid catalysts exhibit a low overpotential of ~186 mV at 10.0 mA·cm^–2 and a small tafel slope of 88.6 mV·deg^–1 for HER in the alkaline solution. The PPy@NiCo hybrid nanotubes also exhibit high catalytic activity and high stability for HER.

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Direct electrochemistry of catalase at amine-functionalized graphene/gold nanoparticles composite film for hydrogen peroxide sensor

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of catalase (Cat) was studied based on a nano-composite film consisting of amine functionalized graphene and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode. Graphene was synthesized chemically by Hummers and Offeman method and then was functionalized with amino groups via chemical modification of carboxyl groups introduced on the graphene surface. The nano-composite film showed an obvious promotion of the direct electron transfer between Cat and the underlying electrode, which attributed to the synergistic effect of graphene-NH₂ and AuNPs. The resultant bioelectrode retained its biocatalytic activity and offered fast and sensitive H₂O₂ quantification. Under the optimized experimental conditions, hydrogen peroxide was detected in the concentration range from 0.3 to 600 μM with a detection limit of 50 nM at S/N = 3. The biosensor exhibited some advantages, such as short time respond (2 s), high sensitivity (13.4 μA/mM) and good reproducibility (RSD = 5.8%).     

Copper nanoparticles/polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon electrocatalysts for hydrazine oxidation

Copper nanoparticles-decorated polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon that can serve as noble metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) is synthesized via a facile synthetic route. The material exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward HzOR with low overpotential and high current density. The material also remains stable during the electrocatalytic reaction for long time. Its good electrocatalytic performance makes this material a promising alternative to conventional noble metal-based catalysts (e.g., Pt) that are commonly used in HzOR-based fuel cells.

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超薄MOF纳米片前驱体高效电催化OER反应

金属-有机骨架材料作为前驱体制备特定形貌的纳米材料用于水氧化反应(OER)，成为新的研究热点。使用溶剂热法在泡沫镍基底上合成超薄的NiCoFe-MOF纳米片，在保留其纳米片形貌的基础上原位电化学转化为金属氢（羟基）氧化物。在1 M KOH电解液中，10 mA?cm-2电流密度时的过电位仅为189 mV，Tafel斜率为35 mV/dec，且长时间电解实验表明其具有较高稳定性。原位拉曼结果表明，反应的高活性来源于反应过程中的“活性氧物种”中间体。