Self-grown Ni(OH)(2) layer on bimodal nanoporous AuNi alloys for enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability

Tuning the Electronic Structure of a Ni-Vacancy-Enriched AuNi Spherical Nanoalloy via Electrochemical Etching for Water Oxidation Studies in Alkaline and Neutral Media

Internal Ni-vacancy-enriched spherical AuNi nanoalloys (AuNi_1-2-T) have been prepared via a noble electrochemical etching method. AuNi_1.5-T showed the highest oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity compared to bare AuNi_1.5, and it demands only 239 mV overpotential, which was 134 mV lesser than the overpotential required by commercial RuO₂ at 10 mA cm^-2 current density in a 1 M KOH solution (pH = 14). The calculated turnover frequency (TOF) value for AuNi_1.5-T (0.0229 s^-1) was 11.74 times higher than that of AuNi_1.5 (0.00195 s^-1). Also, the electrochemically activated AuNi_1.5-T showed superior neutral water oxidation activity by demanding only 335 mV overpotential with a TOF value of 0.000135 s^-1 in a 1 M Na₂SO₄ solution (pH = 7) at 10 mA cm^-2. The long-term stability studies (over 60 h) reveal the excellent robustness of an electrochemically treated alloy system. Density functional theory based electronic structure calculations showed that in the case of AuNi and AuNi_1.5, Au d, Au s, and Ni d orbitals have significant contributions, whereas in the Ni-vacant systems, the density of states is mainly governed by d orbitals of Au and Ni. Also, the Ni-vacant system possesses a work function value of 4.96 eV, which is lower than that of the pristine system (5.27 eV) and thereby favored OH^- binding with an optimum adsorption energy. This result is in reasonable agreement with the experimental outcome of an accelerated OER in a vacancy-enriched Ni-rich AuNi alloy system. Also, mechanistic analysis reveals that the creation of a Ni vacancy can effectively alter the overall mechanism of the OER and thereby facilitate the same with a lower applied energy.

Ultrafast one-pot anodic preparation of Co3O4/nanoporous gold composite electrode as an efficient nonenzymatic amperometric sensor for glucose and hydrogen peroxide

For fabrication of composite electrode, one-pot strategy is highly attractive for convenience and efficiency. Here, a self-supporting Co₃O₄/nanoporous gold (NPG) composite electrode was one-pot prepared via one-step in situ anodization of a smooth gold electrode in a CoCl₂ solution within 100 s. It worked as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for glucose oxidation and H₂O₂ reduction in NaOH solution. Under optimized conditions, the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose exhibits a wide linear range from 2 μM to 2.11 mM with a limit of detection as low as 0.085 μM (S/N = 3) and an ultrahigh sensitivity of 4470.4 μA mM^-1 cm^-2. Detection of glucose in human serum samples are also realized with results comparable to those from local hospital. The electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ shows a linear response range from 20 μM to 19.1 mM and a high sensitivity of 1338.7 μA mM^-1 cm^-2. The present results demonstrate that the facilely prepared Co₃O₄/NPG is a promising nonenzymatic sensor for rapid amperometric detection of glucose and H₂O₂ with ultrasensitivity, high selectivity, satisfactory reproducibility, good stability and long duration.

Understanding electro-catalysis by using density functional theory

DFT calculations are indispensable for understanding the electro-catalysis through explanation of the experimental phenomena, prediction of experimental results, and guiding of the experimental investigation.

Ultra-rapid fabrication of highly surface-roughened nanoporous gold film from AuSn alloy with improved performance for nonenzymatic glucose sensing

Using one-step anodization strategy, a nanoporous gold film (HNPG) with large surface area was rapidly fabricated on Au₈₀Sn₂₀ (wt%) alloy in just 80 s. The formation of highly surface-roughened nanoporous structures results from a complex process of electrochemical dealloying of Sn component from AuSn alloy, anodic electrodissolution, disproportion and deposition of Au component, and spontaneous redox reaction between electrodissolved Sn²⁺ and AuCl₄^－species at the applied anodic potential. As-prepared HNPG/AuSn shows enhanced electrochemical performance for glucose oxidation in alkaline electrolyte. At a low potential of 0.1 V (vs. SCE), it offers a short response time of 4 s, a wide linear detection range of 2 μM to 8.11 mM, an ultralow detection limit of 0.36 μM (S/N = 3), an ultrahigh sensitivity of 4374.6 μA cm^-2 mM^-1, and satisfactory selectivity and reproducibility. Specifically, after 6 weeks, no obvious loss of glucose amperometric signal was observed on HNPG/AuSn. The facile preparation and excellent sensing performance of HNPG/AuSn electrode make sure that it is a promising candidate for advanced enzyme-free glucose sensors.

Recent advances in electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensors - A review

This review encompasses the mechanisms of electrochemical glucose detection and recent advances in non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on a variety of materials ranging from platinum, gold, metal alloys/adatom, non-precious transition metal/metal oxides to glucose-specific organic materials. It shows that the discovery of new materials based on unique nanostructures have not only provided the detailed insight into non-enzymatic glucose oxidation, but also demonstrated the possibility of direct detection in whole blood or interstitial fluids. We critically evaluate various aspects of non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors in terms of significance as well as performance. Beyond laboratory tests, the prospect of commercialization of non-enzymatic glucose sensors is discussed.

Palladium nanoparticles entrapped in a self-supporting nanoporous gold wire as sensitive dopamine biosensor

Traced dopamine (DA) detection is critical for the early diagnosis and prevention of some diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer and schizophrenia. In this research, a novel self-supporting three dimensional (3D) bicontinuous nanoporous electrochemical biosensor was developed for the detection of dopamine by Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV). This biosensor was fabricated by electrodepositing palladium nanoparticles (Pd) onto self-supporting nanoporous gold (NPG) wire. Because of the synergistic effects of the excellent catalytic activity of Pd and novel structure of NPG wire, the palladium nanoparticles decorated NPG (Pd/NPG) biosensor possess tremendous superiority in the detection of DA. The Pd/NPG wire biosensor exhibited high sensitivity of 1.19 μA μΜ-1, broad detection range of 1-220 μM and low detection limit up to 1 μM. Besides, the proposed dopamine biosensor possessed good stability, reproducibility, reusability and selectivity. The response currents of detection in the fetal bovine serum were also close to the standard solutions. Therefore the Pd/NPG wire biosensor is promising to been used in clinic.

Efficient Dual-Site Carbon Monoxide Electro-Catalysts via Interfacial Nano-Engineering

Durable, highly efficient, and economic sound electrocatalysts for CO electrooxidation (COE) are the emerging key for wide variety of energy solutions, especially fuel cells and rechargeable metal-air batteries. Herein, we report the novel system of nickel-aluminum double layered hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) nanoplates on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) network. The formulation of such complexes system was to be induced through the assistance of gold nanoparticles in order to form dual-metal active sites so as to create a extended Au/NiO two phase zone. Bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NTf2) anion of ionic liquid electrolyte was selected to enhance the CO/O2 adsorption and to facilitate electro-catalyzed oxidation of Ni (OH)2 to NiOOH by increasing the electrophilicity of catalytic interface. The resulting neutral catalytic system exhibited ultra-high electrocatalytic activity and stability for CO electrooxidation than commercial and other reported precious metal catalysts. The turnover frequency (TOF) of the LDH-Au/CNTs COE catalyst was much higher than the previous reported other similar electrocatalysts, even close to the activity of solid-gas chemical catalysts at high temperature. Moreover, in the long-term durability testing, the negligible variation of current density remains exsisting after 1000 electrochemistry cycles.

Fabrication and Characterization of Thin Film Nickel Hydroxide Electrodes for Micropower Applications

The utilization of micropower sources is attractive in portable microfluidic devices where only low-power densities and energy contents are required. In this work, we report on the microfabrication of patterned α-Ni(OH)2 films on glass substrates which can be used for rechargeable microbatteries as well as for microcapacitors. A multilayer deposition technique is developed based on e-beam evaporation, ultraviolet lithography, and electroplating/electrodeposition which creates thin-film electrodes that are patterned with arrays of micropillars. The morphology and the structure of the patterned electrode films are characterized by employing field emission scanning electron microscopy. The chemical (elemental) composition is investigated by using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements are used to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the patterned thin film electrodes compared to patternless electrodes. We observe that patterning of the electrodes results in significantly improved stability and, thus, longer endurance while good electrochemical performance is maintained.