Pd-Nanoparticles Embedded Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Hierarchical Porous Carbon Nanosheets as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Carbon Monoxide Oxidation in Different Electrolytes

Interfacial Electronic Interactions within the Pd-CeO2/Carbon Onions Define the Efficient Electrocatalytic Ethanol Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Electrolytes

Porous Pd-based electrocatalysts are promising materials for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells (ADEFCs) and ethanol sensors in the development of renewable energy and point-of-contact ethanol sensor test kits for drunk drivers. However, experimental and theoretical investigations of the interfacial interaction among Pd nanocrystals on supports (i.e., carbon black (CB), onion-like carbon (OLC), and CeO2/OLC) toward ADEFC and ethanol sensors are not yet reported. This is based on the preparation of Pd-CeO2/OLC nanocrystals by the sol-gel and impregnation methods. Evidently, the porous Pd-CeO2/OLC significantly increased membrane-free micro-3D-printed ADEFC performance with a high peak power density (Pmax = 27.15 mW cm-2) that is 1.38- and 7.58-times those of Pd/OLC (19.72 mW cm-2) and Pd/CB (3.59 mW cm-2), besides its excellent stability for 48 h. This is due to the excellent interfacial interaction among Pd, CeO2, and OLC, evidenced by density functional theory (DFT) simulations that showed a modulated Pd d-band center and facile active oxygenated species formation by the CeO2 needed for ethanol fuel cells. Similarly, Pd-CeO2/OLC gives excellent sensitivity (0.00024 mA mM-1) and limit of detection (LoD = 8.7 mM) for ethanol sensing and satisfactory recoveries (89-108%) in commercial alcoholic beverages (i.e., human serum, Amstel beer, and Nederberg Wine). This study shows the excellent possibility of utilizing Pd-CeO2/OLC for future applications in fuel cells and alcohol sensors.

Theoretical Prediction of Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 Using a 2D Catalyst Composed of 3 d Transition Metal and Hexaamine Dipyrazino Quinoxaline

Transition metals and organic ligands combine to form metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which possess distinct active sites, large specific surface areas and stable porous structures, giving them considerable promise for CO2 reduction electrocatalysis. In the present study, using spin polarisation density-functional theory, a series of 2D MOFs constructed from 3d transition metal and hexamethylene dipyrazoline quinoxaline(HADQ) were investigated. The calculated binding energies between HADQ and metal atoms for the ten TM-HADQ monolayers were strong sufficient to stably disperse the metal atoms in the HADQ monolayers. Of the ten catalysts tested, seven (Sc, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ti, V and Cr) exhibited high CO2 reduction selectivity, while Mn, Fe and Co required pH values above 2.350, 6.461 and 6.363, respectively, to exhibit CO2 reduction selectivity. HCOOH was the most important producer for Sc, Zn, Ni and Mn, while CH4 was the main producer for Ti, Cr, Fe and V. Cu and Co were less selective, producing HCHO, CH3 OH, and CH4 simultaneously at the same rate-determining step and limiting potential. The Cu-HADQ catalyst had a high overpotential for the HCHO product (1.022 V), while the other catalysts had lower overpotentials between 0.016 V and 0.792 V. Thus, these results predict TM-HADQ to show excellent activity in CO2 electrocatalytic reduction and to become a promising electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction.

Interfacial Engineering of Porous Pd/M (M = Au, Cu, Mn) Sponge-like Nanocrystals with a Clean Surface for Enhanced Alkaline Electrochemical Oxidation of Ethanol

The interfacial engineering of Pd-based alloys (i.e., PdM with distinct morphologies, compositions, and strain defects) is an efficient way for enhanced catalytic activity; however, it remains a grand challenge to fabricate such alloys in aqueous solutions without heating, organic solvents, and multiple reaction steps. Herein, we present a simple, aqueous-phase, one-step, and ultrafast approach for the interfacial engineering of surfactant-free porous PdM (M = Cu, Au, and Mn) nanocrystals with well-controlled spongy-like morphology and compositions. The electronic interaction in PdM nanocrystals and their effect on the alkaline electrochemical ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) are investigated using XRD, XPS, and electrochemical tests. Notably, integrating M metals into Pd atoms results in upshifting the d-band center of Pd and subsequently modulating the EOR activity and stability substantially. The EOR mass activity (10.78 A/mgPd (6.93 A/mgPdCu)) of PdCu was 1.83, 3.09, 4.51, and 53.90 times higher than those of AuPd (5.90 A/mgPd (3.27 A/mgAuPd)), PdMn (3.48 A/mgPd (3.19 A/mgPdMn)), Pd (2.39 A/mgPd), and Pd/C (0.20 A/mgPd), respectively, besides substantial durability after 1000 cycles. This is due to the porous two-dimensional morphology, a low synergetic effect, higher interfacial interaction, and greater active surface area of PdCu, besides a high Cu content with more oxophilicity that facilitates activation/dissociation of H2O to generate -OH species needed for quick EOR electrocatalysis. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals better electrolyte/electrode interfacial interaction and lower charge transfer resistance on PdCu. The EOR activity of PdCu porous sponge-like nanocrystals was superior to all previously reported Pd-based alloys for electrochemical EOR. This study indicates that binary Pd-based catalysts with less synergetic effect are preferred for boosting the EOR activity, which could help in manipulating the surface properties of Pd-based alloys to optimize EOR performance.

Self-Standing Pd-Based Nanostructures for Electrocatalytic CO Oxidation: Do Nanocatalyst Shape and Electrolyte pH Matter?

Tailoring the shape of Pd nanocrystals is one of the main ways to enhance catalytic activity; however, the effect of shapes and electrolyte pH on carbon monoxide oxidation (CO_Oxid) is not highlighted enough. This article presents the controlled fabrication of Pd nanocrystals in different morphologies, including Pd nanosponge via the ice-cooling reduction of the Pd precursor using NaBH₄ solution and Pd nanocube via ascorbic acid reduction at 25 °C. Both Pd nanosponge and Pd nanocube are self-standing and have a high surface area, uniform distribution, and clean surface. The electrocatalytic CO oxidation activity and durability of the Pd nanocube were significantly superior to those of Pd nanosponge and commercial Pd/C in only acidic (H₂SO₄) medium and the best among the three media, due to the multiple adsorption active sites, uniform distribution, and high surface area of the nanocube structure. However, Pd nanosponge had enhanced CO_Oxid activity and stability in both alkaline (KOH) and neutral (NaHCO₃) electrolytes than Pd nanocube and Pd/C, attributable to its low Pd-Pd interatomic distance and cleaner surface. The self-standing Pd nanosponge and Pd nanocube were more active than Pd/C in all electrolytes. Mainly, the CO_Oxid current density of Pd nanocube in H₂SO₄ (5.92 mA/cm²) was nearly 3.6 times that in KOH (1.63 mA/cm²) and 10.3 times that in NaHCO₃ (0.578 mA/cm²), owing to the greater charge mobility and better electrolyte-electrode interaction, as evidenced by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Notably, this study confirmed that acidic electrolytes and Pd nanocube are highly preferred for promoting CO_Oxid and may open new avenues for precluding CO poisoning in alcohol-based fuel cells.

Non-Metal-Doped Porous Carbon Nitride Nanostructures for Photocatalytic Green Hydrogen Production

Photocatalytic green hydrogen (H₂) production through water electrolysis is deemed as green, efficient, and renewable fuel or energy carrier due to its great energy density and zero greenhouse emissions. However, developing efficient and low-cost noble-metal-free photocatalysts remains one of the daunting challenges in low-cost H₂ production. Porous graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) nanostructures have drawn broad multidisciplinary attention as metal-free photocatalysts in the arena of H₂ production and other environmental remediation. This is due to their impressive catalytic/photocatalytic properties (i.e., high surface area, narrow bandgap, and visible light absorption), unique physicochemical durability, tunable electronic properties, and feasibility to synthesize in high yield from inexpensive and earth-abundant resources. The physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of porous gCNs can be easily optimized via the integration of earth-abundant heteroatoms. Although there are various reviews on porous gCN-based photocatalysts for various applications, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reviews on heteroatom-doped porous gCN nanostructures for the photocatalytic H₂ evolution reaction (HER). It is essential to provide timely updates in this research area to highlight the research related to fabrication of novel gCNs for large-scale applications and address the current barriers in this field. This review emphasizes a panorama of recent advances in the rational design of heteroatom (i.e., P, O, S, N, and B)-doped porous gCN nanostructures including mono, binary, and ternary dopants for photocatalytic HERs and their optimized parameters. This is in addition to H₂ energy storage, non-metal configuration, HER fundamental, mechanism, and calculations. This review is expected to inspire a new research entryway to the fabrication of porous gCN-based photocatalysts with ameliorated activity and durability for practical H₂ production.

Pt-Based Nanostructures for Electrochemical Oxidation of CO: Unveiling the Effect of Shapes and Electrolytes

Direct alcohol fuel cells are deemed as green and sustainable energy resources; however, CO-poisoning of Pt-based catalysts is a critical barrier to their commercialization. Thus, investigation of the electrochemical CO oxidation activity (CO_Oxid) of Pt-based catalyst over pH ranges as a function of Pt-shape is necessary and is not yet reported. Herein, porous Pt nanodendrites (Pt NDs) were synthesized via the ultrasonic irradiation method, and its CO oxidation performance was benchmarked in different electrolytes relative to 1-D Pt chains nanostructure (Pt NCs) and commercial Pt/C catalyst under the same condition. This is a trial to confirm the effect of the size and shape of Pt as well as the pH of electrolytes on the CO_Oxid. The CO_Oxid activity and durability of Pt NDs are substantially superior to Pt NCs and Pt/C in HClO₄, KOH, and NaHCO₃ electrolytes, respectively, owing to the porous branched structure with a high surface area, which maximizes Pt utilization. Notably, the CO_Oxid performance of Pt NPs in HClO₄ is higher than that in NaHCO₃, and KOH under the same reaction conditions. This study may open the way for understanding the CO_Oxid activities of Pt-based catalysts and avoiding CO-poisoning in fuel cells.

Pd/Ni-metal-organic framework-derived porous carbon nanosheets for efficient CO oxidation over a wide pH range

Metal nanocrystal ornamented metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are of particular interest in multidisciplinary applications; however, their electrocatalytic CO oxidation performance over wide pH ranges is not yet reported. Herein, Ni-MOF-derived hierarchical porous carbon nanosheets (Ni-MOF/PC) with abundant Ni-N _x sites decorated with Pd nanocrystals (Pd/Ni-MOF/PC) were synthesized by microwave-irradiation (MW-I) followed by annealing at 900 °C and subsequent etching of Ni-MOF/C prior to Pd deposition. The fabrication mechanism comprises the generation of self-reduced reducing gases from triethylamine during the annealing and selective chemical etching of Ni, thereby facilitating the reduction of Ni-anchored MOF and Pd nanocrystal deposition with the aid of ethylene glycol and MW-I to yield Pd/Ni-N _x enriched MOF/PC. The synthetic strategies endear the Pd/Ni-MOF/PC with unique physicochemical merits: abundant defects, interconnected pores, high electrical conductivity, high surface area, Ni-deficient but more active sites for Pd/Ni-N _x in porous carbon nanosheets, and synergism. These merits endowed the CO oxidation activity and stability on Pd/Ni-MOF/PC substantially than those of Pd/Ni-MOF/C and Pd/C catalysts in wide pH conditions (i.e., KOH, HClO_4, and NaHCO₃). The CO oxidation activity study reveals the utilization of MOF/PC with metal nanocrystals (Pd/Ni) in CO oxidation catalysis.