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Zuo Y, Mastronardi V, Gamberini A, Zappia MI, Le THH, Prato M, Dante S, Bellani S, Manna L. Stainless Steel Activation for Efficient Alkaline Oxygen Evolution in Advanced Electrolyzers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312071. [PMID: 38377368 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Designing robust and cost-effective electrocatalysts for efficient alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance in the field of water electrolysis. In this study, an electrochemical strategy to activate stainless steel (SS) electrodes for efficient OER is introduced. By cycling the SS electrode within a potential window that encompasses the Fe(II)↔Fe(III) process, its OER activity can be enhanced to a great extent compared to using a potential window that excludes this redox reaction, decreasing the overpotential at current density of 100 mA cm-2 by 40 mV. Electrochemical characterization, Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy, and operando Raman measurements demonstrate that the Fe leaching at the SS surface can be accelerated through a Fe → γ-Fe2O3 → Fe3O4 or FeO → Fe2+ (aq.) conversion process, leading to the sustained exposure of Cr and Ni species. While Cr leaching occurs during its oxidation process, Ni species display higher resistance to leaching and gradually accumulate on the SS surface in the form of OER-active Fe-incorporated NiOOH species. Furthermore, a potential-pulse strategy is also introduced to regenerate the OER-activity of 316-type SS for stable OER, both in the three-electrode configuration (without performance decay after 300 h at 350 mA cm-2) and in an alkaline water electrolyzer (≈30 mV cell voltage increase after accelerated stress test-AST). The AST-stabilized cell can still reach 1000 and 4000 mA cm-2 at cell voltages of 1.69 and 2.1 V, which makes it competitive with state-of-the-art electrolyzers based on ion-exchange membrane using Ir-based anodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zuo
- Nanochemistry Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | | | - Agnese Gamberini
- BeDimensional S.p.A., Via Lungotorrente Secca, 30R, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Marilena I Zappia
- BeDimensional S.p.A., Via Lungotorrente Secca, 30R, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Thi-Hong-Hanh Le
- Nanochemistry Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Genova, Genova, 16146, Italy
| | - Mirko Prato
- Materials Characterization Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Silvia Dante
- Materials Characterization Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Bellani
- BeDimensional S.p.A., Via Lungotorrente Secca, 30R, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Liberato Manna
- Nanochemistry Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
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Liu Y, Zhang C, Cai Q, Zhang J, Zheng Z. A moderate method for in situ growing Fe-based LDHs on Ni foam for catalyzing the oxygen evolution reaction. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:19322-19329. [PMID: 37999717 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04589g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Fe-based LDHs have been proven to be an excellent class of catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To achieve industrial applications of water splitting, it is critical to develop a cost-effective and simple strategy to achieve large-area catalytic electrodes. Herein, we present a moderate in situ method for growing Fe-based layered double hydroxide nanosheets on a Ni foam (LDH@NF) substrate at room temperature. Through systematic experimental design characterization, it is found that this in situ growth process is mainly driven by moderate oxidation of Fe2+ in an O2-dissolved solution, the consequent local alkaline environment, and abundant TM2+ ions (Ni2+, Co2+, Ni2+/Co2+). Compared with other in situ methods, this method is not accompanied by violent redox reactions and is favorable for the uniform growth of LDHs, and the composition of the catalyst can be easily regulated. Specifically, the optimized NiFe-LDH@NF catalyst demonstrates excellent catalytic performance in the alkaline water oxidation reaction with a low overpotential of 206/239 mV at a current density of 10/100 mA cm-2, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Electrical Vehicle Power System, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Chenghao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Electrical Vehicle Power System, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Qingsong Cai
- National Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Electrical Vehicle Power System, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Electrical Vehicle Power System, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Zongmin Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Electrical Vehicle Power System, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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He X, Qiao T, Zhang Z, Liu H, Wang S, Wang X. Carbon cloth supporting spinel CuMn 0.5Co 2O 4 nanoneedles with the regulated electronic structure by multiple metal elements as catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 649:635-645. [PMID: 37364463 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Developing transition metal oxide catalysts to replace the noble metal oxide catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential to promote the practical application of water splitting. Herein, we designed and constructed the carbon cloth (CC) supporting spinel CuMn0.5Co2O4 nanoneedles with regulated electronic structure by multiple metal elements with variable chemical valences in the spinel CuMn0.5Co2O4. The carbon cloth not only provided good conductivity for the catalytic reaction but also supported the well-standing spinel CuMn0.5Co2O4 nanoneedles arrays with a large special surface area. Meanwhile, the well-standing nanoneedles arrays and mesoporous structure of CuMn0.5Co2O4 nanoneedles enhanced their wettability and facilitated access for electrolyte to electrochemical catalysis. Besides, the regulated electronic structure and generated oxygen vacancies of CuMn0.5Co2O4/CC by multiple metal elements improved the intrinsic catalytic activity and the durability of OER activity. Profiting from these merits, the CuMn0.5Co2O4/CC electrode exhibited superior OER activity with an ultralow overpotential of 189 mV at the current density of 10 mA⋅cm-2 and a smaller Tafel slope of 64.1 mV⋅dec-1, which was competitive with the noble metal oxides electrode. And the CuMn0.5Co2O4/CC electrode also exhibited long-term durability for OER with 95.3% of current retention after 1000 cycles. Therefore, the competitive OER activity and excellent cycling durability suggested that the CuMn0.5Co2O4/CC electrode is a potential candidate catalyst for efficient OER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanmeng He
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China.
| | - Tong Qiao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China
| | - Zeqin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China
| | - Shaolan Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China
| | - Xinzhen Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, PR China
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Zhao L, Li X, Yu J, Zhou W. Design Strategy of Corrosion-Resistant Electrodes for Seawater Electrolysis. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2709. [PMID: 37049003 PMCID: PMC10096355 DOI: 10.3390/ma16072709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen (H2) production has attracted more and more attention in the context of energy shortages. The use of scarce pure water resources, such as electrolyte, not only increases the cost but also makes application difficult on a large scale. Compared to pure water electrolysis, seawater electrolysis is more competitive in terms of both resource acquisition and economic benefits; however, the complex ionic environment in seawater also brings great challenges to seawater electrolysis technology. Specifically, chloride oxidation-related corrosion and the deposition of insoluble solids on the surface of electrodes during seawater electrolysis make a significant difference to electrocatalytic performance. In response to this issue, design strategies have been proposed to improve the stability of electrodes. Herein, basic principles of seawater electrolysis are first discussed. Then, the design strategy for corrosion-resistant electrodes for seawater electrolysis is recommended. Finally, a development direction for seawater electrolysis in the industrialization process is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiao Li
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (J.Y.)
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He X, Qiao T, Li B, Zhang Z, Wang S, Wang X, Liu H. Tuning Electronic Structure of CuCo
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O
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Spinel via Mn‐Doping for Enhancing Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ChemElectroChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202200933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanmeng He
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi 710021 P. R. China
| | - Tong Qiao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi 710021 P. R. China
| | - Beijun Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi 710021 P. R. China
| | - Zeqin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi 710021 P. R. China
| | - Shaolan Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi 710021 P. R. China
| | - Xinzhen Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shandong University of Science and Technology Qingdao Shandong 266590 P. R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Green Preparation and Functionalization for Inorganic Materials Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an Shaanxi 710021 P. R. China
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Jung HY, Park JH, Ro JC, Suh SJ. Fabrication of Trimetallic Fe-Co-Ni Electrocatalysts for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:45636-45641. [PMID: 36530268 PMCID: PMC9753111 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The development of inexpensive and well-activated water-splitting catalysts is required to reduce the use of conventional fossil fuels. In this study, a trimetallic Fe-Co-Ni catalyst was fabricated using a simple ion electrodeposition method. The metal deposition was performed using cyclic voltammetry, which was more efficient than constant-voltage deposition and significantly increased the stability of the catalyst. The synthesized material presented the morphology of a nanoflower in which the nanosheets were agglomerated. The Fe-Co-Ni catalyst exhibited excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) properties because the charge-transfer rate was improved owing to the synergistic effect of the metals. The OER was performed in a 1 M KOH solution using a three-electrode system, and the overpotential was 302 mV at 100 mA/cm2. In addition, the Fe-Co-Ni catalyst exhibited excellent stability in alkaline solution for more than 48 h at 200 mA/cm2. The results show that the method for preparing Fe-Co-Ni significantly improves its catalytic activity, and the resulting material could be used as an economical and efficient catalyst in future.
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