Direct anchoring of platinum nanoparticles on nitrogen and phosphorus-dual-doped carbon nanotube arrays for oxygen reduction reaction

Phosphorus-Doped Activated Coconut Shell Carbon-Anchored Highly Dispersed Pt for the Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene to p-Aminophenol

Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles (∼2.5 nm) on phosphorus-doped activated coconut shell carbon (Pt/P-ACC) were synthesized by a two-step impregnation route. Pt/P-ACC showed a high activity, chemoselectivity, and reusability toward the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to p-aminophenol, with hydrogen as the reducing agent in sulfuric acid. The effects of P species on the catalyst structure, surface properties, and catalytic performance were investigated. It was found that the Pt/P-ACC catalyst had an excellent catalytic activity due to its smaller Pt nanoparticles and higher content of surface-active metal compared with Pt/ACC. Besides, the experimental results and in situ infrared studies demonstrated that the interaction effect between the Pt and P species imbued the surface of Pt with an electron-rich feature, which decreased the adsorption of electron-rich substrates (that is, phenylhydroxylamine) and prevented their full hydrogenation, leading to enhanced selectivity during the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to p-aminophenol.

An interconnected-graphene enveloped titanium dioxide flower as a robust support for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

A three-dimensional (3D) interconnected-graphene enveloped titanium dioxide flower (TiO2@RGO) as a robust support for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is reported.

Applications of MxSey (M = Fe, Co, Ni) and Their Composites in Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

Transition-metal selenides (M_xSe_y, M = Fe, Co, Ni) and their composites exhibit good storage capacities for sodium and lithium ions and occupy a unique position in research on sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries. M_xSe_y and their composites are used as active materials to improve catalytic activity. However, low electrical conductivity, poor cycle stability, and low rate performance severely limit their applications. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to and understanding of the current research progress of M_xSe_y and their composites. Moreover, this review proposes a broader research platform for these materials, including various bioelectrocatalytic performance tests, lithium-sulfur batteries, and fuel cells. The synthesis method and related mechanisms of M_xSe_y and their composites are reviewed, and the effects of material morphologies on their electrochemical performance are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of M_xSe_y and their composites as well as possible strategies for improving the storage and conversion of electrochemical energy are also summarized.

Electrostatic Adsorption of Platinum onto Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers for Nanoparticle Synthesis

Strong Electrostatic Adsorption (SEA) has been demonstrated as a simple, scientific method to prepare well dispersed Pt nanoparticles over typical forms of carbon: activated, black, and graphitic carbons. Many varieties of specialty carbons have been invented in the last few decades including multi-walled nanotubes, nanofibers, graphene nanoplatelets, etc. In this work, we explore whether SEA can be applied to these specialty carbons for the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles. Over a number of oxidized and unoxidized multiwalled nanotubes and nanofibers, the point of zero charge (PZC) was measured and the uptake of anionic Pt complexes (Pt hexachloride, [PtCl6]2−, and cationic Pt complexes (platinum tetraammine, [Pt(NH3)4]2+) as functions of final pH were surveyed. Pt nanoparticles on the various supports were synthesized at the optimal pH and were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The specialty carbons displayed volcano-shaped uptake curves typical of electrostatic adsorption for both Pt anions at low pH and Pt cations at high pH. However, the regimes of uptake often did not correspond to the measured PZC, probably due to surface impurities from the carbon manufacturing process. This renders the measured PZC of these specialty carbons unreliable for predicting anion and cation uptake. On the other hand, the anion and cation uptake curves provide an “effective” PZC and do indicate the optimal pH for the synthesis of ultrasmall nanoparticle synthesis. High resolution STEM imaging also showed that with SEA it is possible to disperse nanoparticles on the surface as well as the inner walls of the specialty carbons.

Silica-polydopamine core–shell self-confined templates for ultra-stable hollow Pt anchored N-doped carbon electrocatalysts

We present the use of silica-polydopamine (SiO₂@PDA) core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) as self-confined templates for the fabrication of ultra-stable hollow Pt anchored N-doped carbon nanospheres (Pt/HN-C).

Intumescent flame retardant-derived P,N co-doped porous carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

Intumescent flame retardant-derived P,N co-doped porous carbon was prepared by one-step pyrolysis, exhibiting high-performance for the oxygen reduction reaction.