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Jiang A, Chen C, Feng J, Li Q, Liu W, Dong M. Boosting electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution via partial oxidation of rhenium through cobalt modification in nanoalloy structure. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 677:617-625. [PMID: 39154453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.08.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Although the theoretical electrocatalytic activity of rhenium (Re) for the hydrogen evolution reaction is comparable to that of platinum, the experimental performance of reported rhenium-based electrocatalysts remains unsatisfactory. Herein, we report a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst composed of rhenium and cobalt (Co) nanoalloy embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon film (Re3Co2@NCF). The Re3Co2@NCF electrocatalyst exhibited remarkable hydrogen evolution performance, with an overpotential as low as 30 ± 3 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm-2. In addition, the Re3Co2@NCF demonstrated exceptional stability over several days at a current density of 150 mA cm-2. Theoretical calculations revealed that alloying cobalt with rhenium altered the electronic structure of the metals, causing partial oxidation of the superficial metal atoms. This modification provided a balance for various intermediates' adsorption and desorption, thereby boosting the intrinsic activity of rhenium for hydrogen evolution reaction. This work improves the electrocatalytic performance of rhenium to its theoretical activity, suggesting a promising future for rhenium-based electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anning Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250000, China; Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Chao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Jijun Feng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Mingdong Dong
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C DK-8000, Denmark.
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Ramírez AR, Heidari S, Vergara A, Aguilera MV, Preuss P, Camarada MB, Fischer A. Rhenium-Based Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. ACS MATERIALS AU 2023; 3:177-200. [PMID: 38089137 PMCID: PMC10176616 DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.2c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Due to the contamination and global warming problems, it is necessary to search for alternative environmentally friendly energy sources. In this area, hydrogen is a promising alternative. Hydrogen is even more promising, when it is obtained through water electrolysis operated with renewable energy sources. Among the possible devices to perform electrolysis, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers appear as the most promising commercial systems for hydrogen production in the coming years. However, their massification is affected by the noble metals used as electrocatalysts in their electrodes, with high commercial value: Pt at the cathode where the hydrogen evolution reaction occurs (HER) and Ru/Ir at the anode where the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) happens. Therefore, to take full advantage of the PEM technology for green H2 production and build up a mature PEM market, it is imperative to search for more abundant, cheaper, and stable catalysts, reaching the highest possible activities at the lowest overpotential with the longest stability under the harsh acidic conditions of a PEM. In the search for new electrocatalysts and considering the predictions of a Trasatti volcano plot, rhenium appears to be a promising candidate for HER in acidic media. At the same time, recent studies provide evidence of its potential as an OER catalyst. However, some of these reports have focused on chemical and photochemical water splitting and have not always considered acidic media. This review summarizes rhenium-based electrocatalysts for water splitting under acidic conditions: i.e., potential candidates as cathode materials. In the various sections, we review the mechanism concepts of electrocatalysis, evaluation methods, and the different rhenium-based materials applied for the HER in acidic media. As rhenium is less common for the OER, we included a section about its use in chemical and photochemical water oxidation and as an electrocatalyst under basic conditions. Finally, concluding remarks and perspectives are given about rhenium for water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés
M. R. Ramírez
- Centro
de Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería
y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, 8580745 Huechuraba, Santiago RM Chile
- Universidad
Mayor, Núcleo Química y Bioquímica, Facultad
de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Camino
La Pirámide 5750, 8580745 Huechuraba, Santiago RM Chile
| | - Sima Heidari
- Inorganic
Functional Materials and Nanomaterials Group, Institute for Inorganic
and Analytical Chemistry, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- FMF
− Freiburg Materials Research Center, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- FIT
− Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired
Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ana Vergara
- Centro
de Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería
y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, 8580745 Huechuraba, Santiago RM Chile
| | - Miguel Villicaña Aguilera
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y
de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica
de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Paulo Preuss
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y
de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica
de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - María B. Camarada
- Inorganic
Functional Materials and Nanomaterials Group, Institute for Inorganic
and Analytical Chemistry, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- FIT
− Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired
Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y
de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica
de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
- Centro Investigación
en Nanotecnología y Materiales Avanzados, CIEN-UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Anna Fischer
- Inorganic
Functional Materials and Nanomaterials Group, Institute for Inorganic
and Analytical Chemistry, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- FMF
− Freiburg Materials Research Center, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- FIT
− Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired
Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Cluster
of Excellence livMatS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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