Shape-controlled synthesis of nickel phosphide nanocrystals and their application as hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst

Monodisperse nickel phosphide (Ni₂P) nanorods and nanoparticles were synthesized by one step solution-phase route, in which the mixture of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and trioctylphosphine (TOP) was used as solvent, capping agent and phosphor source. The morphologies of the Ni₂P nanocrystals were controlled simply by varying the dropping rate of metal source. The as-prepared Pt-free Ni₂P nanocrystals exhibit the enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) compared to pure commercial Ni nanoparticles. Therefore, the obtained Ni₂P nanocrystals appear to be promising non precious metal electrocatalysts for HER.     

Effect of Gd2O3 on the hydrogen evolution property of nickel–cobalt coatings electrodeposited on titanium substrate

The effect of rare earth compound, Gd₂O₃, on the microstructure and the hydrogen evolution property of Ni–Co alloy electrode was studied. The morphology and microstructure were characterized by SEM and XRD, respectively, and the electrocatalytic efficiency was evaluated on the basis of electrochemical data obtained from steady-state polarization curves, Tafel curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements carried out in 0.50 M Na₂SO₄+0.10 M H₂SO₄ solution. It was found that the embedded Gd₂O₃ particles largely enhanced the electrocatalytic activity of Ni–Co alloy electrode to hydrogen evolution reaction.     

Study of multi-faceted CoS2 introduced graphene aerogel hybrids via chemical approach for an effective electrocatalytic water splitting

The present article reports the synthesis of hybrid structure along with non-precious cobalt-disulfide. A simple hydrothermal method was used to fabricate multi-faceted CoS₂ introduced graphene aerogels. Studies on electrocatalytic activity showed that the presence of CoS₂ facets along with graphene aerogel played a prominent role in the enhancement of proton reduction to hydrogen gas. The CoS₂/graphene aerogel hybrid sample exhibits extremely low overpotential (160 mV vs. RHE), and high current density for HER in acidic solution. The activity enhancement can be attributed to increasing the active electrochemical surface area of graphene aerogel and faceted particles inside the 3D matrix of graphene. Furthermore, the CoS₂/graphene hybrid retained its high activity even after 1000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry scans, signifying longer stability under acidic condition. The results suggest that CoS₂/graphene aerogel hybrids show their potential application to hydrogen evolution reaction.     

Ni与Co掺杂Fe2O3（0001）表面增强析氧反应活性

Fe based oxides are considered as a promising catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to their low cost and high stability. Here, based on density functional theory calculations, the electrocatalytic behaviors of pure and metal (Ni, Co) doped Fe-terminated Fe₂O₃(0001) are investigated. The potential-limiting step for OER is determined as the formation of O^* by dehydrogenating surface hydroxyl and it is suggested that the doping enhances the catalytic activity of Fe₂O₃(0001) by reducing the free energy change of rate limiting step on doped Ni or Co atom. Especially, the calculated over-potential of Co-doped Fe₂O₃ (0001) surface is about 0.63 eV on Co site, which is comparable with the theoretical over-potential of 0.56 eV for RuO₂.     

Surface functionalization of porous ZrO2-TiO2 membranes using γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in palladium electroless deposition

A pre-treatment technique was developed to facilitate the electroless deposition of Pd layers onto ZrO₂-TiO₂ ceramic membrane surfaces in the preparation of novel multi-functional porous membranes. Surface functionalization using an aqueous solution of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (γ-APTES) aided the surface immobilization of the Pd activation particles and the subsequent electroless deposition of metal layers onto the hydroxyl-rich membrane surface. The attractiveness of γ-APTES functionalization, in the electroless deposition of metal layers, was thus demonstrated. Characterization techniques employed in the structural study of the surface-modified membranes included SEM, EDS, dynamic analysis in micro-PIXE, and XRD. Special membrane techniques such as electrokinetic analysis and single-gas permeation measurements were also used in the study of surface modification. These membranes were developed for application in tasks associated with the hydrogen economy.     

Light Auxiliary Hydrogen‐Evolution Catalyst Based on Uniformly Pt Nanoparticles Decorated Molybdenum Sulfide Hybrids

The electrocatalytic splitting of water via hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the most efficient technologies for hydrogen production, while the massive consumption of precious Pt‐based catalysts hinders its commercialization, bringing an urgent task to explore low‐cost and earth‐abundant alternatives. Herein, a cost‐efficient system composed of metal Pt/molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) nanosheets hybrids for the HER by auxiliary of solar light is reported. The uniformly Pt nanoparticle decorated MoS₂ sheets can be easily obtained under hydrothermal condition using oleylamine as capping agent and N,N‐dimethylmethanamide (DMF) as intercalation molecule for MoS₂ exfoliation. The Pt/MoS₂ hybrid shows a significantly enhanced HER activity compared with bare MoS₂ due to enhancing conductivity and reducing overpotential by electron transport between Pt and MoS₂. As a result, a Tafel slope of 38 mV per decade is obtained, suggesting a highly efficient Volmer–Heyrovsky reaction of hydrogen evolution.     

The effect of heat treatment on the performance of the Ni/(Zr-Sm oxide) catalysts for carbon dioxide methanation

The active catalysts for methane formation from the gas mixture of CO₂ + 4H₂ with almost 100% methane selectivity were prepared by reduction of the oxide mixture of NiO and ZrO₂ prepared by calcination of aqueous ZrO₂ sol with Sm(NO₃)₃ and Ni(NO₃)₂. The 50 at%Ni-50 at%(Zr-Sm oxide) catalyst consisting of 50 at%Ni-50 at%(Zr + Sm) with Zr/Sm = 5 calcined at 650 or 800 °C showed the highest activity for methanation. The active catalysts were Ni supported on tetragonal ZrO₂, and the activity for methanation increased by an increase in inclusion of Sm³⁺ ions substituting Zr⁴⁺ ions in the tetragonal ZrO₂ lattice as a result of an increase in calcination temperature. However, the increase in calcination temperature decreased BET surface area, metal dispersion and hydrogen uptake due to grain growth. Thus, the optimum calcination temperature existed.     

使用金属掺杂SnO2(110)作为表面催化剂的电催化CO2还原反应：通过调控Sn:O原子比例来控制产物

电催化CO₂还原反应可以产生HCOOH和CO,目前该反应是将可再生电力转化为化学能存储在燃料中的最有前景的方法之一. SnO₂作为将CO₂转换为HCOOH和CO的良好催化剂,其反应发生的晶面可以是不同的. 其中(110)面的SnO₂非常稳定,易于合成. 通过改变SnO₂(110)的Sn:O原子比例,得到了两种典型的SnO₂薄膜：完全氧化型(符合化学计量)和部分还原型. 本文研究了不同金属(Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Ru、Rh、Pd、Ag、Os、Ir、Pt和Au)掺杂的SnO₂(110),发现在CO₂还原反应中这些材料的催化活性和选择性是不同的. 所有这些变化都可以通过调控(110)表面中Sn:O原子的比例来控制. 结果表明,化学计量型和部分还原型Cu/Ag掺杂的SnO₂(110)对CO₂还原反应具有不同的选择性. 具体而言,化学计量型的Cu/Ag掺杂的SnO₂(110)倾向于产生CO(g),而部分还原型的表面倾向于产生HCOOH(g). 此外,本文还考虑了CO₂还原的竞争析氢反应. 其中Ru、Rh、Pd、Os、Ir和Pt掺杂的SnO₂(110)催化剂对析氢反应具有较高的活性,其他催化剂对CO₂还原反应具有良好的催化作用.     

Three-dimensional flower-like NiS2/MoS2 assembly of randomly oriented nanoplate for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

The continually worsening energy crisis has stimulated research into energy conversion technology to produce pure hydrogen, H₂. Transition metal-based compounds have attracted great attention as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as alternatives to commercial, high-cost, and scarce noble metal-based catalysts. In this work, a 3D flower-like NiS₂/MoS₂ is synthesized with the advantages of a three-dimensional (3D) morphology and the compositing of different metal compounds, thus leading to enhanced electrocatalytic performance. The structure of 3D flower-like NiS₂/MoS₂ augments the specific surface areas resulting from nanoplate assemblies as well as the heterointerface ascribed to two different phases of NiS₂ and MoS₂. These characteristics are confirmed by electrocatalytic measurements of the lower overpotential of 165 mV at 10 mA/cm² with high charge transfer ability, thus demonstrating the structure's potential for advanced electrocatalysts for the HER.     

Ni基催化剂在邻甲酚原位加氢反应中的催化性能

采用等体积浸渍法制备了一系列负载型Ni基催化剂,利用XRD、H₂-TPR、NH₃-TPD 等技术表征了催化剂的理化特性,考察了载体(CMK-3、SiO₂ZrO₂、MgO、Al₂O₃)、助剂(Cu、Ce、Fe)对Ni基催化剂理化特性的影响,测试了230 oC、0.1 MPa冷压下催化剂对邻甲酚原位加氢反应的性能．结果表明,在负载型镍基催化剂作用下,甲醇水相重整制氢反应可以与邻甲酚的原位加氢反应相耦合;以CMK-3为载体的催化剂活性明显优于其他三种载体,邻甲酚的转化率为45.35%;助剂的添加对催化剂性能影响显著,Fe 的引入使原位加氢体系的转化率降至40.49%,助剂Ce、Cu的加入提高了Ni/CMK-3催化剂的原位加氢反应性能,转化率分别提高至64.6%、66.8%,Cu的添加改变了产物的分布,在产物中出现了新产物甲苯;同时探讨原位加氢反应路径及反应机理．     

Implication of the role of oxygen anions and oxygen vacancies for methanol decomposition over zirconia supported copper catalysts

The interaction of methanol with Cu, monoclinic ZrO₂, and Cu/m-ZrO₂ catalysts has been investigated by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and reaction (TPRS) with the aim of understanding the nature of the surface sites and the mechanism involved in methanol decomposition. A synergetic effect has been detected since the combination of copper and ZrO₂ significantly facilitates the methanol decomposition with the facile evolution of H₂ and CO species at much lower desorption temperature. In conjunction with DRIFTS and H₂-TPD measurements of the Cu/ZrO₂ sample reduced at elevated temperatures, methanol decomposition over Cu/ZrO₂ is suggested to occur primarily on ZrO₂ with the aid of the presence of oxygen anions and oxygen vacancies generated by species-spillover between copper and zirconia. The interface between copper and zirconia is also evidenced to be crucial to the decomposition of methanol, with the main role of metallic Cu being to provide sites for H₂ removal by efficiently recombining the hydrogen atoms formed during the dehydrogenation of species located on zirconia.     

Analytische Fern- und Laborkontrolle bei der Wideraufarbeitung von Brennelementen aus KKW

The activity of Ni–Cr₂O₃ catalyst for the deuterium exchange reactions between hydrogen and ammonia, as well as for hydrogen and water vapor has been measured in dependence on the reaction temperature and on partial pressure of ammonia and water vapor, respectively. In both cases the activity in dependence on the partial pressure shows a maximum; the maximum of activity for H₂–NH₃ exchange is situated between partial pressures of 0.05 and 0.25, and for H₂–H₂O reaction between 0.25 and 0.5. The Ni–Cr₂O₃ catalyst is about 2.4 more active for the exchange reaction H₂–H₂O than for H₂–NH₃. For both reactions, chromia has a strong promoting effect, enhancing the activity per gram of catalyst of about three orders of magnitude in comparison with that of the Nickel black.     

紫外激光调控CoFe2O4表面氧空位以增强析氧反应催化活性

本文以尖晶石型材料CoFe₂O₄为模型催化剂,研究证实脉冲紫外激光辐照可以有效调控材料表面的氧空位含量,进而改变其析氧催化活性,得到了催化活性随辐照时间的火山型变化趋势. 这种激光辐照方法可用于定量研究过渡金属化合物的表面阳离子价态、阴离子空位和物化性质间的关联.     

Highly Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst of NiCo2O4@NiO@Ni Core/Shell Nanocone Array for Stable Overall Water Splitting

Electrochemical splitting of water is an efficient way to produce clean energy for energy storage and conversion devices. Herein, 3D hierarchical NiCo₂O₄@NiO@Ni core/shell nanocone arrays (NAs) are reported on Ni foam for stable overall water splitting with high efficiency. The architecture and composition of the 3D catalysts are particularly tuned. The outstanding structural and component features of the as‐prepared 3D catalysts are characterized by the vertically grown NiCo₂O₄ nanocone/NiO nanosheet core/shell structure and Ni decorated 3D‐conductive networks, which largely prompt the catalytic performance. The hybrid catalyst with core/shell nanocone array structures exhibits superior bifuncational activities for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with an overpotential of 240 and 120 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2, respectively. The Tafel slope of the optimal 3D electrode is about 43 and 58 mV dec^?1 in an alkaline electrolyte for OER and HER, respectively. An alkaline electrolyzer constructed by two symmetric NiCo₂O₄@NiO@Ni electrodes delivers splendid activity toward overall water splitting with a current of 10 mA cm^?2 at only ≈1.60 V and almost no deactivation after 10 h. This work provides a promising strategy to design ternary core/shell electrodes as high performance Janus catalysts for overall water splitting.     

NiWO3 Nanoparticles Grown on Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4) Supported Toray Carbon as an Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Oxygen and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

Catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are at the heart of water oxidation reactions. Despite continuous efforts, the development of OER/HER electrocatalysts with high activity at low cost remains a big challenge. Herein, a composite material consisting of TC@WO₃@g‐C₃N₄@Ni‐NiO complex matrix as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the OER and HER is described. Though the catalyst has modest activity for HER, it exhibits high OER activity thereby making it a better nonprecious electrocatalyst for both OER and HER and is further improved by g‐C₃N₄. The catalytic activity arises from the synergetic effects between WO₃, Ni‐NiO, and g‐C₃N₄. A Ni‐NiO alloy and WO₃ nanoparticles decorated on the g‐C₃N₄ surface supported toray carbon (TC) matrix (TC@WO₃@g‐C₃N₄@Ni‐NiO) by a facile route that show an excellent and durable bifunctional catalytic activity for OER and HER in the alkaline medium are developed. This carbon nitride with binary metal/metal‐oxide matrix supported with TC exhibit an overpotential of 0.385 and 0.535 V versus RHE at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 (Tafel slopes of 0.057 and 0.246 V dec^?1 for OER and HER, respectively), in 0.1 m NaOH . The catalyst is tested in water electrolysis for 17 h.     

Laser-assisted activation of dielectrics for electroless metal plating

2 O₃, SiC, diamond, ZrO₂, etc. are presented. The activation of the dielectric surface can be achieved in a wide range of laser wavelengths and is stable in time. This activation allows selective deposition of various metals (Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, etc.) with lateral dimensions of several μm. The model of the activation process is discussed. This deals with the modification of the band gap of the dielectric, which involves the appearance of a non-zero density of electronic states in the vicinity of the potential of electroless metal reduction. These electronic states can arise either from the formation of point defects in the ablated surface (for example, F centers in Al₂O₃, CeO₂, or ZrO₂) or from the band bending of the dielectric caused by residual mechanical stresses left in the material after laser ablation (SiC or diamond). The data on the activation of dielectrics by mechanical indentation are qualitatively consistent with the model. Received: 5 January 1998/Accepted: 7 January 1998     

Electrochemical water splitting using nano-zeolite Y supported tungsten oxide electrocatalysts

Zeolites are often used as supports for metals and metal oxides because of their well-defined microporous structure and high surface area. In this study, nano-zeolite Y (50–150 nm range) and micro-zeolite Y (500–800 nm range) were loaded with WO₃, by impregnating the zeolite support with ammonium metatungstate and thermally decomposing the salt thereafter. Two different loadings of WO₃ were studied, 3 wt.% and 5 wt.% with respect to the overall catalyst. The prepared catalysts were characterized for their morphology, structure, and surface areas through scanning electron microscope (SEM), XRD, and BET. They were further compared for their electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. On comparing the bare micro-zeolite particles with the nano-form, the nano-zeolite Y showed higher currents with comparable overpotentials and lower Tafel slope of 62.36 mV/dec. WO₃ loading brought about a change in the electrocatalytic properties of the catalyst. The overpotentials and Tafel slopes were observed to decrease with zeolite-3 wt.% WO₃. The smallest overpotential of 60 mV and Tafel slope of 31.9 mV/dec was registered for nano-zeolite with 3 wt.% WO₃, while the micro-zeolite gave an overpotential of 370 mV and a Tafel slope of 98.1 mV/dec. It was concluded that even with the same metal oxide loading, nano-zeolite showed superior performance, which is attributed to its size and hence easier escape of hydrogen bubbles from the catalyst.     

NiSb纳米颗粒的热液路线制备及电催化析氢性能研究

本文发展了一种简单经济的过渡金属锑化物热液合成路线,在160 oC的温和条件下,由商业易得的乙酰丙酮基镍和三苯基铋在油胺介质中还原制备出NiSb纳米颗粒. 反应中,还原剂甲硼烷-叔丁基胺络合物的使用能够有效促进金属源的快速还原,用以促进NiSb纳米颗粒的生成. 结构表征显示,所制备的NiSb产物为六方相(空间群P6₃/mmc)颗粒状纳米晶,其粒径约为10 nm. 该合成方法可拓展用于CoSb和Ag₃Sb等纳米颗粒的温和制备. 电催化析氢性能研究显示,NiSb纳米颗粒具有良好的电化学析氢反应性能. 结果显示,当阴极电流密度达到50 mA/cm²和10 mA/cm²时所需要的过电位分别为531和437 mV. 同时,NiSb纳米颗粒还具有较小的电荷转移阻抗和优良的循环稳定性能.     

碱助剂促进Ni基催化剂氢解山梨醇制备二元醇

采用逐步湿浸渍的方法制备了一系列含有不同载体和碱促进剂的Ni基催化剂用于生物质基平台化合物山梨醇的氢解反应. 通过反应对载体和碱促进剂进行了筛选和组分含量的优化,碱性促进剂的引入不仅增强了催化剂的碱性,而且通过Ni²⁺和碱促进剂的强相互作用提高了Ni在催化剂上的分散性;10%Ni/10%La₂O₃/ZrO₂表现出了非常高的氢解活性和较好的二元醇(乙二醇和1,2丙二醇)选择性,金属Ni和碱促进剂La₂O₃之间的协同作用机理对于山梨醇选择性氢解制备二元醇影响显著. 在优化的反应条件下,山梨醇达到100%的转化并且有超过48%的二元醇产率. 研究中对催化剂进行了XRD、BET、H₂-TPR和CO₂-TPD表征,用于分析催化剂结构性能. 通过对山梨醇氢解以及中间产物动力学曲线的研究,得出多元醇氢解活性与所含羟基数正相关,产物的最终分布是氢解动力学平衡的最终结果.     

H2 oxidation on Ni/Y–TZP cermet electrodes – polarisation behaviour

The polarisation behaviour of Ni/3 mol % Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ (Ni/Y–TZP) cermet electrodes for H₂ oxidation reaction has been investigated by the galvanostatic current interruption (GCI) over a wide range of H₂O content and temperature in both undiluted and diluted H₂ fuel. The electrode performance increases with H₂O content with a maximum at 14% H₂O. The reaction orders with respect to partial pressure of H₂O and H₂ are 0.5 and 0.1, respectively. The activation energy for the reaction is about 70 kJ mol⁻¹ in the H₂O content range between 4 to 14% in undiluted H₂ and in the H₂ content range between 14 to 96% in diluted H₂. The polarisation behaviour was analysed by fitting the measured data with the Nernst-type concentration equation and an empirical rate equation. The results have demonstrated that charge transfer process may play an very important role in the polarisation behaviour for H₂ oxidation reaction on Ni/Y–TZP cermet electrodes. The deviation of the calculated data according to the empirical rate equation from the measured polarisation data at high current densities and low H₂ contents indicates that the reaction is limited by at least two electrode processes.