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Yu J, Li Z, Wang C, Xu X, Liu T, Chen D, Shao Z, Ni M. Engineering advanced noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for energy-saving hydrogen production from alkaline water via urea electrolysis. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 661:629-661. [PMID: 38310771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.183] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
When the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of water splitting is replaced by the urea oxidation reaction (UOR), the electrolyzer can fulfill hydrogen generation in an energy-economic manner for urea electrolysis as well as sewage purification. However, owing to the sluggish kinetics from a six-electron process for UOR, it is in great demand to design and fabricate high-performance and affordable electrocatalysts. Over the past years, numerous non-precious materials (especially nickel-involved samples) have offered huge potential as catalysts for urea electrolysis under alkaline conditions, even in comparison with frequently used noble-metal ones. In this review, recent efforts and progress in these high-efficiency noble-metal-free electrocatalysts are comprehensively summarized. The fundamentals and principles of UOR are first described, followed by highlighting UOR mechanism progress, and then some discussion about density functional theory (DFT) calculations and operando investigations is given to disclose the real reaction mechanism. Afterward, aiming to improve or optimize UOR electrocatalytic properties, various noble-metal-free catalytic materials are introduced in detail and classified into different classes, highlighting the underlying activity-structure relationships. Furthermore, new design trends are also discussed, including targetedly designing nanostructured materials, manipulating anodic products, combining theory and in situ experiments, and constructing bifunctional catalysts. Ultimately, we point out the outlook and explore the possible future opportunities by analyzing the remaining challenges in this booming field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, PR China; Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urbanization (RISUD), Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urbanization (RISUD), Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urbanization (RISUD), Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China
| | - Xiaomin Xu
- WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE), Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urbanization (RISUD), Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China
| | - Daifen Chen
- School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, PR China
| | - Zongping Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, PR China; WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE), Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, 6102, Australia.
| | - Meng Ni
- Department of Building and Real Estate, Research Institute for Sustainable Urbanization (RISUD), Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China.
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Huang L, Huang H, Guo W, Wang S. 3D urchin-like of Zn-Ni-Co ternary oxide microspheres as high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.141317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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3
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Anuratha KS, Rinawati M, Wu TH, Yeh MH, Lin JY. Recent Development of Nickel-Based Electrocatalysts for Urea Electrolysis in Alkaline Solution. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12172970. [PMID: 36080007 PMCID: PMC9457967 DOI: 10.3390/nano12172970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Recently, urea electrolysis has been regarded as an up-and-coming pathway for the sustainability of hydrogen fuel production according to its far lower theoretical and thermodynamic electrolytic cell potential (0.37 V) compared to water electrolysis (1.23 V) and rectification of urea-rich wastewater pollution. The new era of the "hydrogen energy economy" involving urea electrolysis can efficiently promote the development of a low-carbon future. In recent decades, numerous inexpensive and fruitful nickel-based materials (metallic Ni, Ni-alloys, oxides/hydroxides, chalcogenides, nitrides and phosphides) have been explored as potential energy saving monofunctional and bifunctional electrocatalysts for urea electrolysis in alkaline solution. In this review, we start with a discussion about the basics and fundamentals of urea electrolysis, including the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and then discuss the strategies for designing electrocatalysts for the UOR, HER and both reactions (bifunctional). Next, the catalytic performance, mechanisms and factors including morphology, composition and electrode/electrolyte kinetics for the ameliorated and diminished activity of the various aforementioned nickel-based electrocatalysts for urea electrolysis, including monofunctional (UOR or HER) and bifunctional (UOR and HER) types, are summarized. Lastly, the features of persisting challenges, future prospects and expectations of unravelling the bifunctional electrocatalysts for urea-based energy conversion technologies, including urea electrolysis, urea fuel cells and photoelectrochemical urea splitting, are illuminated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mia Rinawati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ho Wu
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hsin Yeh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Yu Lin
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung City 40704, Taiwan
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Amer MS, Arunachalam P, Alsalman AM, Al-Mayouf AM, Almutairi ZA, Aladeemy SA, Hezam M. Facile synthesis of amorphous nickel iron borate grown on carbon paper as stable electrode materials for promoted electrocatalytic urea oxidation. Catal Today 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2021.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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5
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Putri YMTA, Gunlazuardi J, Yulizar Y, Wibowo R, Einaga Y, Ivandini TA. Recent progress in direct urea fuel cell. OPEN CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2021-0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Direct urea fuel cell (DUFC) has attracted many researchers’ attention due to the use of wastewater, for example urine, which contains urea for the fuel. The main factor to improve the electrochemical oxidation performance of urea and further enhance the performances of DUFC is the use of a good anode catalyst. Non-noble metal catalyst, such as nickel, is reported to have a good catalytic activity in alkaline medium towards urea electro-oxidation. Besides optimizing the anode catalyst, the use of supporting electrode which has a large surface area as well as the use of H2O2 as an oxidant to replace O2 could help to improve the performances. The recent progress in anode catalysts for DUFC is overviewed in this article. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages as well as the factors that could help to escalate the performance of DUFC are discussed together with the challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia , Depok 16424 , Indonesia
| | - Yoki Yulizar
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia , Depok 16424 , Indonesia
| | - Rahmat Wibowo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia , Depok 16424 , Indonesia
| | - Yasuaki Einaga
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Keio University , Yokohama 223-8522 , Japan
| | - Tribidasari A. Ivandini
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia , Depok 16424 , Indonesia
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6
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Synergistic effect of two complexing agents on the hydrothermal synthesis of self-supported ZnNiCo oxide as electrode material in supercapacitors. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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7
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Ni 2P nanocrystals embedded Ni-MOF nanosheets supported on nickel foam as bifunctional electrocatalyst for urea electrolysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21414. [PMID: 34725381 PMCID: PMC8560839 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00776-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It’s highly desired but challenging to synthesize self-supporting nanohybrid made of conductive nanoparticles with metal organic framework (MOF) materials for the application in the electrochemical field. In this work, we report the preparation of Ni2P embedded Ni-MOF nanosheets supported on nickel foam through partial phosphidation (Ni2P@Ni-MOF/NF). The self-supporting Ni2P@Ni-MOF/NF was directly tested as electrode for urea electrolysis. When served as anode for urea oxidation reaction (UOR), it only demands 1.41 V (vs RHE) to deliver a current of 100 mA cm−2. And the overpotential of Ni2P@Ni-MOF/NF to reach 10 mA cm−2 for hydrogen evolution reaction HER was only 66 mV, remarkably lower than Ni2P/NF (133 mV). The exceptional electrochemical performance was attributed to the unique structure of Ni2P@Ni-MOF and the well exposed surface of Ni2P. Furthermore, the Ni2P@Ni-MOF/NF demonstrated outstanding longevity for both HER and UOR. The electrolyzer constructed with Ni2P@Ni-MOF/NF as bifunctional electrode can attain a current density of 100 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage as low as 1.65 V. Our work provides new insights for prepare MOF based nanohydrid for electrochemical application.
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Zhuo X, Jiang W, Qian G, Chen J, Yu T, Luo L, Lu L, Chen Y, Yin S. Ni 3S 2/Ni Heterostructure Nanobelt Arrays as Bifunctional Catalysts for Urea-Rich Wastewater Degradation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:35709-35718. [PMID: 34308650 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c08148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Urea electrolysis is a cost-effective method for urea-rich wastewater degradation to achieve a pollution-free environment. In this work, the Ni3S2/Ni heterostructure nanobelt arrays supported on nickel foam (Ni3S2/Ni/NF) are synthesized for accelerating the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It only needs ultralow potentials of 1.30 V and -54 mV to achieve the current density of ±10 mA cm-2 for UOR and HER, respectively. Meanwhile, the overall urea oxidation driven by Ni3S2/Ni/NF only needs 1.36 V to achieve 10 mA cm-2, and it can remain at 100 mA cm-2 for 60 h without obvious activity attenuation. The superior performance could be attributed to the heterostructure between Ni3S2 and Ni, which can promote electron transfer and form electron-poor Ni species to optimize urea decomposition and hydrogen production. Moreover, the nanobelt self-supported structure could expose abundant active sites. This work thus provides a feasible and cost-effective strategy for urea-rich wastewater degradation and hydrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhuo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Wenjie Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Guangfu Qian
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jinli Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Tianqi Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lin Luo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lihai Lu
- Guangxi Bossco Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd, 12 Kexing Road, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Yongli Chen
- Guangxi Bossco Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd, 12 Kexing Road, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Shibin Yin
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metals and Materials, State Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metal and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Road, Nanning 530004, China
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Li J, Li J, Gong M, Peng C, Wang H, Yang X. Catalyst Design and Progresses for Urea Oxidation Electrolysis in Alkaline Media. Top Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11244-021-01453-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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10
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Carpenter K, Stuve EM. Electrooxidation of urea and creatinine on nickel foam-based electrocatalysts. J APPL ELECTROCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10800-021-01545-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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11
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Recent Developments for the Application of 3D Structured Material Nickel Foam and Graphene Foam in Direct Liquid Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Platinum and platinum-based catalysts are some of the most effective catalysts used in fuel cells. However, electrocatalysts used for direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) and electrolyzers are high cost and suffer from several other problems, thus hindering their commercialization as power sources to produce clean energy. Common issues in electrocatalysts are low stability and durability, slow kinetics, catalyst poisoning, high catalyst loading, high cost of the catalytic materials, poisoning of the electrocatalysts, and formation of intermediate products during electrochemical reactions. The use of catalyst supports can enhance the catalytic activity and stability of the power sources. Thus, nickel foam and graphene foam with 3D structures have advantages over other catalyst supports. This paper presents the application of nickel foam and graphene foam as catalyst supports that enhance the activities, selectivity, efficiency, specific surface area, and exposure of the active sites of DLFCs. Selected recent studies on the use of foam in electrolyzers are also presented.
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Zhou C, Bai J, Zhang Y, Li J, Li Z, Jiang P, Fang F, Zhou M, Mei X, Zhou B. Novel 3D Pd-Cu(OH) 2/CF cathode for rapid reduction of nitrate-N and simultaneous total nitrogen removal from wastewater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 401:123232. [PMID: 32653780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Removal of NO3- is a challenging problem in wastewater treatment. Electrocatalysis shows a great potential to remove NO3- but selectively converting NO3- to N2 is facing a low efficiency. Here, a novel 3D Pd-Cu(OH)2/CF cathode based electrocatalytic (EC) system was proposed that can rapidly and selectively convert NO3- to NH4+, and further convert to N2 simultaneously. The special designs for the system include: Cu(OH)2 nanowires were firstly grown on copper foam (CF) with excellent conductivity that features high specific surface area in enhancing NO3- absorption and conversion to NO2-. Then, palladium (Pd) with a superior photons activation capacity was doped on the Cu(OH)2 nanowires to promote the reduction of NO2- to NH4+. Then NH4+ was quickly oxidized into N2 by active chlorine. Finally, total nitrogen (TN) could easily be removed completely via above exhaustive cycle reactions. The 3D Pd-Cu(OH)2/CF cathode exhibits a 98.8 % conversion of NO3- to NH4+ in 45 min with the reported highest removal rate of 0.017 cm-2 min-1, which is 19.4 times higher than that of CF. The converted NH4+ was finally exhaustively oxidized to N2 with a 98.7 % of TN removal in 60 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhui Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Jing Bai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Jinhua Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
| | - Zhijing Li
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Panyu Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Fei Fang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Mengyang Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Xiaojie Mei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Baoxue Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Management of Plateau Lake-Watershed, Yunnan 650034, PR China.
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A composite of graphitic carbon nitride and Vulcan carbon as an effective catalyst support for Ni in direct urea fuel cells. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2020.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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Barbosa JR, Paranhos CH, Alves OC, Checca NR, Serna JP, Rossi AL, Silva JCM. Low loading platinum dispersed on Ni/C nanoparticles as high active catalysts for urea electrooxidation reaction. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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15
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Hu X, Zhu J, Li J, Wu Q. Urea Electrooxidation: Current Development and Understanding of Ni‐Based Catalysts. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202000404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinrang Hu
- Department of ChemistryLishui University Lishui 323000 P R China
| | - Jiaye Zhu
- Department of ChemistryLishui University Lishui 323000 P R China
| | - Jiangfeng Li
- Department of ChemistryLishui University Lishui 323000 P R China
| | - Qingsheng Wu
- School of Chemical Science and EngineeringTongji University Shanghai 200092 P R China
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16
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Development of Nanosized Mn3O4-Co3O4 on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Cathode Catalyst in Urea Fuel Cell. ENERGIES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/en13092322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Double-oxide Mn3O4-Co3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized and anchored on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a single-step solvothermal method. The largest specific area (99.82 m2g−1) of the catalyst was confirmed via a nitrogen adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, the uniform coating of the Mn3O4-Co3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of the MWCNTs was observed via scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy; the uniform coating provided an effective transport pathway during the electrocatalytic activities. The rotating disk electrode and rotating ring disk electrode measurements indicated that the electron transfer number was 3.96 and the evolution of H2O2 was 2%. In addition, the Mn3O4-Co3O4/MWCNT catalyst did not undergo urea poisoning and remained stable in an alkaline solution. Conversely, commercial Pt/C could not withstand urea poisoning for long. The performance cell achieved a power density of 0.4226 mW cm−2 at 50 °C. Therefore, Mn3O4-Co3O4/MWCNT is an efficient and inexpensive noble-metal-free cathodic catalyst for direct urea fuel cells.
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Zhu B, Liang Z, Zou R. Designing Advanced Catalysts for Energy Conversion Based on Urea Oxidation Reaction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1906133. [PMID: 31913584 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201906133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is the underlying reaction that determines the performance of modern urea-based energy conversion technologies. These technologies include electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical urea splitting for hydrogen production and direct urea fuel cells as power engines. They have demonstrated great potentials as alternatives to current water splitting and hydrogen fuel cell systems with more favorable operating conditions and cost effectiveness. At the moment, UOR performance is mainly limited by the 6-electron transfer process. In this case, various material design and synthesis strategies have recently been reported to produce highly efficient UOR catalysts. The performance of these advanced catalysts is optimized by the modification of their structural and chemical properties, including porosity development, heterostructure construction, defect engineering, surface functionalization, and electronic structure modulation. Considering the rich progress in this field, the recent advances in the design and synthesis of UOR catalysts for urea electrolysis, photoelectrochemical urea splitting, and direct urea fuel cells are reviewed here. Particular attention is paid to those design concepts, which specifically target the characteristics of urea molecules. Moreover, challenges and prospects for the future development of urea-based energy conversion technologies and corresponding catalysts are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjun Zhu
- College of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zibin Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Theory and Technology of Advanced Battery Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ruqiang Zou
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Theory and Technology of Advanced Battery Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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18
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Li Q, Li N, An J, Pang H. Controllable synthesis of a mesoporous NiO/Ni nanorod as an excellent catalyst for urea electro-oxidation. Inorg Chem Front 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0qi00316f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Mesoporous rod-like structured composites of NiO/Ni have been successfully prepared via a low temperature heat treatment of the precursor NiC2O4·2H2O in N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou
- P. R. China
- Guangling College
| | - Nan Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Jing An
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Huan Pang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou
- P. R. China
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