A high-performance catalyst support for methanol oxidation with graphene and vanadium carbonitride

Adsorbed Carbon Monoxide-Enabled Self-Terminated Au-Grafting on Pt6 Nanoclusters for Enhanced Methanol Electrooxidation

The study presents the first example of an adsorbed carbon monoxide (CO) enabled self-terminated Au-grafting on triphenylphosphine (PPh3) stabilized Pt6 nanoclusters (NCs) (Pt6 (PPh3)4Cl5 NCs or Pt6 NCs). Adsorbed PPh3 ligands weaken the Pt-CO bond enabling the self-terminated Au-grafting on Pt6 NCs. The Au-grafted Pt6 NCs exhibit enhanced methanol electrooxidation (MOR) in acidic solutions. The surface is composed of a PtAu ensemble exhibiting enhanced MOR and CO tolerance due to the synergistic interaction of Pt with Au and PPh3. The hydrogen underpotential deposition (H-UPD) signal from a CO-covered surface reveals the existence of free-Pt sites on the PtAu ensemble causing higher MOR reactivity. The Au and PPh3 ensure electrocatalytic activity of the NCs, depriving of them at anodic potentials results in "a death-valley" trend.

Electro-oxidation Reaction of Methanol over Reducible Ce1-x-yNixSryO2-δ: A Mechanistic Probe of Participation of Lattice Oxygen

Methanol oxidation reaction crucially depends on the formation of -OOH species over the catalyst's surface. Ni-based catalysts are by far the choice of materials, where the redox couple of Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ facilitates the formation of -OOH species by surface reconstructions. However, it is challenging to oxidize Ni²⁺ as it generates charge-transfer orbitals near the Fermi energy level. One possible solution is to substitute Ni²⁺ with a reducible oxide support, which will not only facilitate the Ni²⁺ → Ni³⁺ oxidation but also adsorb oxygenated species like -OOH at a lower potential owing to its oxophilicity. This work shows with the help of structural and surface studies that the reducible CeO₂ support in Ni and Sr co-doped Ce_1-x-yNi_xSr_yO_2-δ solid solution can easily facilitate Ni²⁺ → Ni³⁺ oxidation as well as evolution of lattice oxygen during the methanol oxidation reaction. While the Ni³⁺ species helped in formation of -OOH surface intermediates, the evolved lattice oxygen eased the CO oxidation process in order to bring out the better CO-tolerant methanol oxidation activity over Ce_1-x-yNi_xSr_yO_2-δ. The study shows the unique importance of the electronic interactions between the active site and support and involvement of lattice oxygen in the methanol oxidation reaction.

Plasmon-driven methanol oxidation on PtAg nanoalloys prepared by improved pulsed laser deposition

The methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is crucial in many energy-conversion devices. Although intensive efforts have been devoted to improving the MOR catalytic activity of Pt-based catalysts by treatment or alloying, enhancing the MOR catalyst performance utilizing solar energy has been less investigated. PtAg nanoalloys, combining the intrinsic catalytic activity of Pt toward the MOR with the visible spectrum plasmonic response of Ag, are expected to be a good MOR catalyst for solar energy, however, it remains challenging to incorporate these immiscible elements into a nanoalloy in a controlled way using conventional synthetic techniques. Herein, we proposed a general strategy for alloying silver and platinum elements into single-phase solid-solution nanoparticles with arbitrarily desired composition by bonding pure Pt targets with pure Ag strips in an improved pulsed laser deposition. The as-prepared PtAg nanoalloys show two crystalline phases and an average particle size of about 4 nm. To prove utility, we use the PtAg nanoalloys as support-free MOR catalysts anchored on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode solidly and uniformly. The PtAg nanoalloys exhibit a mass catalytic activity of 3.6 A mg^-1, which is 4.5 times higher than that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Besides, the PtAg nanoalloys exhibit a promising regenerability after reactivation by cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, the MOR catalytic activity of PtAg nanoalloys increased by 16% under irradiation by simulated sunlight, which is attributed to the surface plasmon resonance as ascertained from the UV-vis absorption spectra and photocurrent response experiments. These studies are believed to provide a new strategy for the enhancement of MOR catalytic activity with visible light as the driving force.

Architecting Nanostructured Co-BTC@GO Composites for Supercapacitor Electrode Application

Herein, we present an innovative graphene oxide (GO)-induced strategy for synthesizing GO-based metal-organic-framework composites (Co-BTC@GO) for high-performance supercapacitors. 1,3,5-Benzene tricarboxylic acid (BTC) is used as an inexpensive organic ligand for the synthesis of composites. An optimal GO dosage was ascertained by the combined analysis of morphology characterization and electrochemical measurement. The 3D Co-BTC@GO composites display a microsphere morphology similar to that of Co-BTC, indicating the framework effect of Co-BTC on GO dispersion. The Co-BTC@GO composites own a stable interface between the electrolyte and electrodes, as well as a better charge transfer path than pristine GO and Co-BTC. A study was conducted to determine the synergistic effects and electrochemical behavior of GO content on Co-BTC. The highest energy storage performance was achieved for Co-BTC@GO 2 (GO dosage is 0.02 g). The maximum specific capacitance was 1144 F/g at 1 A/g, with an excellent rate capability. After 2000 cycles, Co-BTC@GO 2 maintains outstanding life stability of 88.1%. It is expected that this material will throw light on the development of supercapacitor electrodes that hold good electrochemical properties.

Electrocatalytic performance of NiNH2BDC MOF based composites with rGO for methanol oxidation reaction

Present work comprehensively investigated the electrochemical response of Nickel-2 Aminoterephthalic acid Metal-Organic Framework (NiNH2BDC) and its reduced graphitic carbon (rGO) based hybrids for methanol (CH3OH) oxidation reaction (MOR) in an alkaline environment. In a thorough analysis of a solvothermally synthesized Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and its reduced graphitic carbon-based hybrids, functional groups detection was performed by FTIR, the morphological study by SEM, crystal structure analysis via XRD, and elemental analysis through XPS while electrochemical testing was accomplished by Chronoamperometry (CA), Cyclic Voltametric method (CV), Electrochemically Active Surface Area (EASA), Tafel slope (b), Electron Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Mass Activity, and roughness factor. Among all the fabricated composites, NiNH2BDC MOF/5 wt% rGO hybrid by possessing an auspicious current density (j) of 267.7 mA/cm2 at 0.699 V (vs Hg/HgO), a Tafel slope value of 60.8 mV dec-1, EASA value of 15.7 cm2, and by exhibiting resistance of 13.26 Ω in a 3 M CH3OH/1 M NaOH solution displays grander electrocatalytic activity as compared to state-of-the-art platinum-based electrocatalysts.

Methanol Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production Using Polymer Electrolyte Membrane: A Mini-Review

Hydrogen (H2) has attained significant benefits as an energy carrier due to its gross calorific value (GCV) and inherently clean operation. Thus, hydrogen as a fuel can lead to global sustainability. Conventional H2 production is predominantly through fossil fuels, and electrolysis is now identified to be most promising for H2 generation. This review describes the recent state of the art and challenges on ultra-pure H2 production through methanol electrolysis that incorporate polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). It also discusses about the methanol electrochemical reforming catalysts as well as the impact of this process via PEM. The efficiency of H2 production depends on the different components of the PEM fuel cells, which are bipolar plates, current collector, and membrane electrode assembly. The efficiency also changes with the nature and type of the fuel, fuel/oxygen ratio, pressure, temperature, humidity, cell potential, and interfacial electronic level interaction between the redox levels of electrolyte and band gap edges of the semiconductor membranes. Diverse operating conditions such as concentration of methanol, cell temperature, catalyst loading, membrane thickness, and cell voltage that affect the performance are critically addressed. Comparison of various methanol electrolyzer systems are performed to validate the significance of methanol economy to match the future sustainable energy demands.

One pot solvent assisted syntheses of Ag3SbS3 nanocrystals and exploring their phase dependent electrochemical behavior toward oxygen reduction reaction and visible light induced methanol oxidation reaction

A huge variety of silver based ternary sulfide semiconductors (SCs) have been considered for the sustainable advancement of renewable energy sources. Herein, we have synthesized two important classes of newly emerging semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) Ag3SbS3 (SAS), i.e. hexagonal and monoclinic by simply tuning the solvent polarity, of which the second one has been synthesized in a phase pure NC for the first time by the thermal decomposition of silver and antimony based dithiocarbamate (∼N-CS2-M) complexes. Interestingly, these two systems exhibit two different semiconducting (SC) properties and band gaps; hexagonal SAS has a p type (Eg ∼ 1.65 eV) whereas monoclinic SAS has an n type (Eg ∼ 2.1 eV) character. For the first time ever we have designed a reducing working electrode (i.e. cathode) by modifying the rotating disc electrode (RDE) with hexagonal SAS that exhibits excellent electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity (Eonset = 1.09 V vs. RHE and average number of electron transfer: 3.89) comparable to that of the highly expensive Pt/C (Eonset = 0.88 V vs. RHE and average number of electron transfer: 3.92). Density functional theory (DFT) investigation confirms the corroborations of experimental data with theoretical implications. In addition, the electrode fabricated from monoclinic SAS acts as an efficient photoanode which exhibits higher photoelectrochemical (PEC) methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activity under illumination in alkaline medium compared to that of standard TiO2 grown on an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass slide. On illumination, the relative photocurrent density at the onset potential has been obtained to be 845 which is a very significant experimental output with respect to any other TiO2 or Pt@TiO2 based photocatalysts for this application. The physicochemical stability and reusability of both materials were supported by 50 hours of extended electrochemical chronoamperometric measurements and powder XRD and the TEM analyses after electrocatalysis. This study explores a possible pathway for designing simple and less expensive but catalytically efficient silver based ternary sulfide NC systems for developing an SC material to reduce the energy crisis in the near future.

High activity of NiCo2O4 promoted Pt on three-dimensional graphene-like carbon for glycerol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium

Spinel oxide NiCo₂O₄ supported on a three-dimensional hierarchically porous graphene-like carbon (3D HPG) material has been firstly used to enhance the activity of Pt for glycerol electrooxidation. The addition of NiCo₂O₄ into the Pt/HPG catalyst can significantly improve the catalytic performance for glycerol oxidation. When NiCo₂O₄ is added to the Pt/HPG catalyst, the onset potential is 25 mV more negative than that on the Pt/HPG catalyst without NiCo₂O₄. The current density at -0.3 V on the Pt-NiCo₂O₄ (wt 10 : 1)/HPG electrode is 1.3 times higher than that on the Pt (30 wt%)/HPG electrode. The Pt-NiCo₂O₄ electrode presented in this work shows great potential as an electrocatalyst for glycerol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium.

Fabrication of ZnO-Fe-MXene Based Nanocomposites for Efficient CO2 Reduction

A ZnO-Fe-MXene nanocomposite was fabricated and examined with diverse spectroscopic techniques. The hexagonal structure of ZnO, MXene, and ZnO-Fe-MXene nanocomposites were validated through XRD. FTIR showed the characteristic vibrational frequencies of ZnO and MXene. The micrographs of the SEM showed nanoparticles with a flower-like structure. The electrocatalytic reduction efficiency of ZnO-Fe-MXene nanocomposite was analyzed through cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. The ZnO-Fe-MXene electrode was confirmed to have a high current density of 18.75 mA/cm2 under a CO2 atmosphere. Nyquist plots also illustrated a decrease in the impedance of the ZnO-Fe-MXene layer, indicating fast charge transfer between the Zn and MXene layers. Additionally, this electrochemical study highlights new features of ZnO-Fe-MXene for CO2 reduction.

Development of Nickel-BTC-MOF-Derived Nanocomposites with rGO Towards Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol and Its Product Analysis

In this study, electrochemical oxidation of methanol to formic acid using the economical and highly active catalytic Nickel Benzene tricarboxylic acid metal organic framework (Ni-BTC-MOF) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode GCE in alkaline media, which was examined via cyclic voltammetry technique. Nickel based MOF and rGO nanocomposites were prepared by solvothermal approach, followed by morphological and structural characterization of prepared samples through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The electrochemical testing of synthesized materials represents the effect of the sequential increase in rGO concentration on electrocatalytic activity. The Ni-BTC/4 wt % rGO composite with a pronounced current density of 200.22 mA/cm2 at 0.69 V versus Hg/HgO electrode at 50 mV/s was found to be a potential candidate for methanol oxidation in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) applications. Product analysis was carried out through Gas Chromatography (GC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which confirmed the formation of formic acid during the oxidation process, with approximately 62% yield.

Fine Control over the Compositional Structure of Trimetallic Core-Shell Nanocrystals for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

Pt-based multimetallic nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted tremendous research interest because of their excellent catalytic properties in various electrocatalysis fields. However, the development of rational synthesis approaches that can give multimetallic NCs with desirable compositional structures is still a radical issue. In the present work, we devised an efficient strategy for the systematic control of the spatial distribution of constituent elements in Pt-based trimetallic core-shell NCs, through which NCs with distinctly different compositional structures, such as Au@PdPt, Au@Pd@Pt, AuPd@Pt, and AuPdPt@Pt core-shell NCs, could selectively be generated. The adjustment of the amount of a reducing agent, hydrazine, which can provide control over the relative reduction kinetics of multiple metals, is the key to the selective formation of NCs. Through extensive studies on the effect of the compositional structure of the trimetallic NCs on their catalytic function toward the methanol electro-oxidation reaction, we found that the Au@Pd@Pt NCs exhibited considerably enhanced catalytic performance in comparison to the other trimetallic NCs as well as to their binary counterparts, a commercial catalyst, and reported Pt-based nanocatalysts due to the optimized surface electronic structure. The present strategy will be useful to design and construct multicomponent catalytic systems for various energy and environmental applications.

ZIF-8 nanoparticles thin film at an oil–water interface as an electrocatalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction without the application of noble metals

Monodispersed and nano-sized ZIF-8 was synthesized at an oil–water interface for the first time and applied as an electrocatalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline medium.

M13 Virus-Incorporated Biotemplates on Electrode Surfaces To Nucleate Metal Nanostructures by Electrodeposition

We report a virus-incorporated biological template (biotemplate) on electrode surfaces and its use in electrochemical nucleation of metal nanocomposites as an electrocatalytic material for energy applications. The biotemplate was developed with M13 virus (M13) incorporated in a silicate sol-gel matrix as a scaffold to nucleate Au-Pt alloy nanostructures by electrodeposition, together with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The phage when engineered with Y3E peptides could nucleate Au-Pt alloy nanostructures, which ensured adequate packing density, simultaneous stabilization of rGO, and a significantly increased electrochemically active surface area. Investigation of the electrocatalytic activity of the resulting sol-gel composite catalyst toward methanol oxidation in an alkaline medium showed that this catalyst had mass activity greater than that of the biotemplate containing wild-type M13 and that of monometallic Pt and other Au-Pt nanostructures with different compositions and supports. M13 in the nanocomposite materials provided a close contact between the Au-Pt alloy nanostructures and rGO. In addition, it facilitated the availability of an OH^--rich environment to the catalyst. As a result, efficient electron transfer and a synergistic catalytic effect of the Au and Pt in the alloy nanostructures toward methanol oxidation were observed. Our nanocomposite synthesis on the novel biotemplate and its application might be useful for developing novel clean and green energy-generating and energy-storage materials.

A Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell Driven by an Outer Sphere Positive Electrode

Molecular oxygen, the conventional electron acceptor in fuel cells poses challenges specific to direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Due to the coupling of alcohol dehydrogenation with the scission of oxygen on the positive electrode during the alcohol crossover, the benchmark Pt-based air cathode experiences severe competition and depolarization losses. The necessity of heavy precious metal loading with domains for alcohol tolerance in the state of the art DAFC cathode is a direct consequence of this. Although efforts are dedicated to selectively cleave oxygen, the root of the problem being the inner sphere nature of either half-cell chemistry is often overlooked. Using an outer sphere electron acceptor that does not form a bond with the cathode during redox energy transformation, we effectively decoupled the interfacial chemistry from parasitic chemistry leading to a DAFC driven by alcohol passive carbon nanoparticles, with performance metrics ∼8 times higher than Pt-based DAFC-O₂.

A self-supporting bimetallic Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticle electrocatalyst for the synergistic enhancement of methanol oxidation

The morphology of Pt−Au bimetal nanostructures plays an important role in enhancing the catalytic capability, catalytic stability and utilization efficiency of the platinum. We designed and successfully prepared Au@Pt nanoparticles (NPs) through an economical, surfactant-free and efficient method of seed-mediated growth. The Au@Pt NPs displayed electrochemical performances superior to those of commercial Pt/C catalysts because their agglomeration was prevented and exhibited better long-term stability with respect to methanol oxidation in acidic media by efficiently removing intermediates. Among the obtained Au@Pt NPs, Au₉₀@Pt₁₀ NPs exhibited the most significantly enhanced catalytic performance for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Their mass and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA)-normalized current densities are approximately 3.9 and 4.6 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C catalysts, respectively. The oxidation current densities of the Au₉₀@Pt₁₀ NPs are approximately 1.8 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C catalysts after 4000 s of continuous measurement because the small Pt NPs grown on the surface of the Au₉₀@Pt₁₀ NPs were effectively stabilized by the Au metal support. This approach may be a facile method for the synthesis of self-supported bimetallic nanostructures, which is of great significance for the development of high performance electrocatalysts and sensors.

Electrochemical growth of Co(OH)2 nanoflakes on Ni foam for methanol electro-oxidation

Co(OH)₂ nanoflakes directly grown on Ni foam using an electrodeposition route exhibit a promising performance for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol.

Facile synthesis of a molybdenum phosphide (MoP) nanocomposite Pt support for high performance methanol oxidation

Molybdenum phosphide nanocrystals anchored on graphitic carbon are facilely synthesized and MoP highly improves the catalytic activity and stability of Pt in methanol electro-oxidation.

Increase of electrodeposited catalyst stability via plasma grown vertically oriented graphene nanoparticle movement restriction

This work describes a general approach to prevent coalescence/agglomeration of metallic nanoparticles for the reductive cleavage of organic halides (RX).

Guided Evolution of Bulk Metallic Glass Nanostructures: A Platform for Designing 3D Electrocatalytic Surfaces

Electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, lithium-air batteries, and pseudocapacitors are expected to play a major role in energy conversion/storage in the near future. Here, it is demonstrated how desirable bulk metallic glass compositions can be obtained using a combinatorial approach and it is shown that these alloys can serve as a platform technology for a wide variety of electrochemical applications through several surface modification techniques.

Ru-assisted synthesis of Pd/Ru nanodendrites with high activity for ethanol electrooxidation

Due to the specific physical and chemical properties of a highly branched noble metal, the controllable synthesis has attracted much attention. This article reports the synthesis of Pd/Ru nanodendrites by a facile method using an oil bath in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, potassium bromide and ascorbic acid. The morphology, structure, and composition of the as-prepared catalysts were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In the electrochemical measurement, the as-prepared Pd7/Ru1 bimetallic nanodendrites provide a large electrochemically active surface area and exhibit high peak current density in the forward scan toward ethanol electrooxidation, which is nearly four times higher than those of a pure Pd catalyst. The as-prepared Pd7/Ru1 catalysts also exhibit significantly enhanced cycling stability toward ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium, which are mainly ascribed to the synergetic effect between Pd and Ru. This indicates that the Pd7/Ru1 catalysts should have great potential applications in direct ethanol fuel cells.