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Van Nguyen T, Do HH, Tekalgne M, Van Le Q, Nguyen TP, Hong SH, Cho JH, Van Dao D, Ahn SH, Kim SY. WS 2-WC-WO 3 nano-hollow spheres as an efficient and durable catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. NANO CONVERGENCE 2021; 8:28. [PMID: 34542727 PMCID: PMC8452812 DOI: 10.1186/s40580-021-00278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), transition metal carbides (TMCs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been widely investigated for electrocatalytic applications owing to their abundant active sites, high stability, good conductivity, and various other fascinating properties. Therefore, the synthesis of composites of TMDs, TMCs, and TMOs is a new avenue for the preparation of efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we propose a novel low-cost and facile method to prepare TMD-TMC-TMO nano-hollow spheres (WS2-WC-WO3 NH) as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The crystallinity, morphology, chemical bonding, and composition of the composite material were comprehensively investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of the WS2-WC-WO3 NH spheres. Interestingly, the presence of nitrogen significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity of the hybrid material, facilitating electron transfer during the catalytic process. As a result, the WS2-WC-WO3 NH hybrid exhibited better HER performance than the pure WS2 nanoflowers, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the W-S, W-C, and W-O bonding in the composite. Remarkably, the Tafel slope of the WS2-WC-WO3 NH spheres was 59 mV dec-1, which is significantly lower than that of the pure WS2 NFs (82 mV dec-1). The results also confirmed the unprecedented stability and superior electrocatalytic performance of the WS2-WC-WO3 NH spheres toward the HER, which opens new avenues for the preparation of low-cost and highly effective materials for energy conversion and storage applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Van Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Huu Do
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Mahider Tekalgne
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Quyet Van Le
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Thang Phan Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hyun Hong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hyuk Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dung Van Dao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Ahn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soo Young Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Boonyeun N, Rujiravanit R, Saito N. Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of Multicomponent Nanoparticles Containing Carbon, Tungsten Carbide and Silver as Multifunctional Filler for Polylactic Acid Composite Films. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13070991. [PMID: 33804863 PMCID: PMC8037156 DOI: 10.3390/polym13070991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicomponent nanoparticles containing carbon, tungsten carbide and silver (carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles) were simply synthesized via in-liquid electrical discharge plasma, the so-called solution plasma process, by using tungsten electrodes immersed in palm oil containing droplets of AgNO3 solution as carbon and silver precursors, respectively. The atomic ratio of carbon:W:Ag in carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles was 20:1:3. FE-SEM images revealed that the synthesized carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles with particle sizes in the range of 20–400 nm had a spherical shape with a bumpy surface. TEM images of carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles showed that tungsten carbide nanoparticles (WCNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with average particle sizes of 3.46 nm and 72.74 nm, respectively, were dispersed in amorphous carbon. The carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles were used as multifunctional fillers for the preparation of polylactic acid (PLA) composite films, i.e., PLA/carbon-WC-Ag, by solution casting. Interestingly, the coexistence of WCNPs and AgNPs in carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles provided a benefit for the co-nucleation ability of WCNPs and AgNPs, resulting in enhanced crystallization of PLA, as evidenced by the reduction in the cold crystallization temperature of PLA. At the low content of 1.23 wt% carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles, the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of PLA/carbon-WC-Ag composite films were increased to 25.12% and 46.08%, respectively. Moreover, the PLA/carbon-WC-Ag composite films possessed antibacterial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichapat Boonyeun
- The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Ratana Rujiravanit
- The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +662-218-4132
| | - Nagahiro Saito
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan;
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Jansi Rani B, Ravi G, Yuvakkumar R, Praveenkumar M, Ravichandran S, Muthu Mareeswaran P, Hong SI. Bi 2WO 6 and FeWO 4 Nanocatalysts for the Electrochemical Water Oxidation Process. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:5241-5253. [PMID: 31459696 PMCID: PMC6648914 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b03003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted nanocatalyst preparation was succeeded by employing a controlled solvothermal route to produce efficient electrodes for electrochemical water-splitting applications. Bi2WO6 and FeWO4 nanocatalysts have been confirmed through the strong signature of (113) and (111) crystal planes, respectively. The binding natures of Bi-W-O and Fe-W-O have been thoroughly discussed by employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy which confirmed the formation of Bi2WO6 and FeWO4. The freestanding nanoplate array morphology of Bi2WO6 and the fine nanosphere particle morphology of FeWO4 nanocatalysts were revealed by scanning electron microscopy images. With these confirmations, the fabrication of durable, long-term electrodes for electrochemical water splitting has been subjected to efficient oxidation of water, confirmed by obtaining 2.79 and 1.96 mA/g for 0.5 g PVP-assisted Bi2WO6 and FeWO4 nanocatalysts, respectively. The water oxidation mechanism of both nanocatalysts has been revealed with the support of 24 h stability test over continuous water oxidation and faster charge transfer achieved by the smaller Tafel slope values of 75 and 78 mV/dec, respectively. Generally, these nanocatalysts are utilized for photocatalytic applications. The present study revealed the PVP-assisted synthesis to produce electrocatalytically active nanocatalysts and their electrochemical water-splitting mechanism which will offer a pathway for research interests with regard to the production of multifunctional nanocatalysts for both electro- and photocatalytic applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balasubramanian Jansi Rani
- Nanomaterials
Laboratory, Department of Physics, and Department of Industrial Chemistry, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ganesan Ravi
- Nanomaterials
Laboratory, Department of Physics, and Department of Industrial Chemistry, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rathinam Yuvakkumar
- Nanomaterials
Laboratory, Department of Physics, and Department of Industrial Chemistry, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M. Praveenkumar
- Electro
Inorganic Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical
Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Subbiah Ravichandran
- Electro
Inorganic Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical
Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Paulpandian Muthu Mareeswaran
- Nanomaterials
Laboratory, Department of Physics, and Department of Industrial Chemistry, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sun Ig Hong
- Department
of Nanomaterials Engineering, Chungnam National
University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea
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Kim I, Park SW, Kim DW. Carbon-encapsulated multi-phase nanocomposite of W 2C@WC 1-x as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:21123-21131. [PMID: 30406794 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr07221c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The major challenges related to the activity, stability, and cost of electrocatalysts are being increasingly raised to achieve highly efficient and cost-effective hydrogen generation. Herein, multiphase nanocomposites of W2C@WC1-x encapsulated within graphitic carbon layers were prepared via a facile and effective process of electrical explosion of wires and subsequent heat treatment to serve as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst without any noble metal for hydrogen generation. The single-phase comprising less than 15 nm WC1-x nanoparticles embedded in a lump of amorphous carbon were successfully synthesized via the EEW process in oleic acid used as a carbon source at room temperature. Subsequent heat treatment facilitates the desired phase transition of WC1-x to W2C without the formation of any secondary phases, maintaining the initial particle size and simultaneously eliminating excess amorphous carbon adhered to the nanoparticles. The few graphitic carbon layer-encapsulated nanoparticles with the main W2C phase prepared by this simple method exhibit high efficiency for hydrogen generation with a low overpotential of 240 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and a low Tafel slope of 86 mV dec-1. Moreover, the overpotential is well maintained at a constantly injected current density of 10 mA cm-2 for 100 h with a low η100/ηi value of 1.03 (ηi: initial overpotential, η100: overpotential after 100 h), demonstrating superior catalytic stability in acidic media. This work proposes and evaluates a facile strategy for the synthesis of highly efficient electrocatalysts based on metal carbides without noble metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inha Kim
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, Korea.
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Ros C, Andreu T, Giraldo S, Izquierdo-Roca V, Saucedo E, Morante JR. Turning Earth Abundant Kesterite-Based Solar Cells Into Efficient Protected Water-Splitting Photocathodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:13425-13433. [PMID: 29578332 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
CZTS/Se kesterite-based solar cells have been protected by conformal atomic layer deposition (ALD)-deposited TiO2 demonstrating its feasibility as powerful photocathodes for water splitting in highly acidic conditions (pH < 1), achieving stability with no detected degradation and with current density levels similar to photovoltaic productivities. The ALD has allowed low deposition temperatures of 200 °C for TiO2, preventing significant variations to the kesterite structure and CdS heterojunction, except for the pure-sulfide stoichiometry, which was studied by Raman spectroscopy. The measured photocurrent at 0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, 37 mA·cm-2, is the highest reported to date, and the associated half-cell solar-to-hydrogen efficiency reached 7%, being amongst the largest presented for kesterite-based photocathodes, corroborating the possibility of using them as abundant low-cost alternative photoabsorbers as their efficiencies are improved toward those of chalcopyrites. An electrical circuit has been proposed to model the photocathode, which comprises the photon absorption, charge transfer through the protective layer, and catalytic performance, which paves the way to the design of highly efficient photoelectrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carles Ros
- Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1 , 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Teresa Andreu
- Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1 , 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Sergio Giraldo
- Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1 , 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Victor Izquierdo-Roca
- Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1 , 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Edgardo Saucedo
- Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1 , 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Joan Ramon Morante
- Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, IREC , Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1 , 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs , Barcelona , Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona , Martí i Franquès, 1 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
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Zhang WB, Ma XJ, Kong LB. Nanocrystalline Intermetallic Tungsten Carbide: Nanoscaled Solidoid Synthesis, Nonfaradaic Pseudocapacitive Property, and Electrode Material Application. ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES 2017; 4:1700099. [DOI: 10.1002/admi.201700099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-Ferrous Metals; Lanzhou University of Technology; Lanzhou 730050 P. R. China
| | - Xue-Jing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-Ferrous Metals; Lanzhou University of Technology; Lanzhou 730050 P. R. China
| | - Ling-Bin Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-Ferrous Metals; Lanzhou University of Technology; Lanzhou 730050 P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Lanzhou University of Technology; Lanzhou 730050 P. R. China
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Characterisation of the Chemical Composition and Structural Features of Novel Antimicrobial Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS 2017. [PMID: 28644384 PMCID: PMC5535218 DOI: 10.3390/nano7070152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Three antimicrobial nanoparticle types (AMNP0, AMNP1, and AMNP2) produced using the TesimaTM thermal plasma technology were investigated and their compositions were determined using a combination of analytical methods. Scanning electron micrographs provided the morphology of these particles with observed sizes ranging from 10 to 50 nm, whilst FTIR spectra confirmed the absence of polar bonds and organic impurities, and strong Raman active vibrational bands at ca. 1604 and 1311 cm-1 ascribed to C-C vibrational motions were observed. Carbon signals that resonated at δC 126 ppm in the solid state NMR spectra confirmed that sp² hybridised carbons were present in high concentration in two of the nanoparticle types (AMNP1 and AMNP2). X-ray powder diffraction suggested that AMNP0 contains single phase Tungsten carbide (WC) in a high state of purity and multiple phases of WC/WC1-x were identified in both AMNP1 and AMNP2. Finally, X-ray photoelectron spectral (XPS) analyses revealed and quantified the elemental ratios in these composite formulations.
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