Electrochemical performance comparison between β-type mixed nickel cobalt hydroxides prepared by various synthesis routes

Cobalt is usually co-precipitated with nickel to improve the nickel hydroxide electrode capacity. Herein, we present the acquirement of β-type mixed Ni/Co phases by three different synthetic routes. The first method consists of the electrochemical removal of Li from LiNi_1–xCo_xO₂ compounds to form Ni_1–xCo_xO₂ compounds that are then reduced in a KOHhydrogen peroxide medium to produce Ni_1–xCo_x(OH)₂. The second method deals with the aging of α-type mixed Ni/Co hydroxides in 8M KOH solution at 60 °C. Finally, the third method consists of the direct precipitation of Ni and Co sulfates using the right sequence and amount of NH₄OH and NaOH bases. A constant capacity was found, independently of the amount of Co, for samples prepared from a lithiated precursor, in total contrast with samples prepared from the aging and precipitation processes that show a maximum capacity near x=0.1. We explain such a different electrochemical behavior, based on material morphology and surface area arguments. Moreover, we show that cobalt addition in the nickel network enhances the stability of the β(III) phase.     

LaNi1 − x Cu x O3 (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.30) coated electrodes for oxygen evolution in alkaline medium

LaNi_1???x Cu _x O₃ (x?=?0.05, 0.10, 0.30) coated electrodes were prepared by brush painting using Ni foam substrates in order to increase its active surface area. For comparison, coatings with x?=?0.05 were also prepared using vitreous carbon substrates. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the coating roughness (R _f). Values between 5,145?±?148 and 6,334?±?277 were obtained, depending on the x value, for the coatings on Ni foam. These results show that the electrodes prepared with LaNi_1???x Cu _x O₃ powder, obtained at 600 °C, lead to a big increase on the oxide electrode roughness when compared with LaNiO₃ electrodes prepared by a similar method. Much lower values were obtained for the coatings on vitreous carbon indicating that the substrate nature is also a key factor for the preparation of high surface area electrodes. The calculated kinetic parameters for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) show that the partial replacement of Ni by Cu has no beneficial effect on the intrinsic catalytic activity of the coatings. On the other hand, a big increase on the active area is observed even for small amounts of Cu (x?=?0.05), leading to a better overall OER performance for the LaNi_0.95Cu_0.05O₃ coating on Ni foam. For this composition, the activity is dominated by geometric effects.     

Magnetic and spectral studies on N-(thiophene-2-carboxamido)salicylaldimine complexes of some bivalent 3d metal ions

Metal(II) complexes of N-(thiophene-2-carboxamido)salicylaldimine (H₂TCS) of types M(H₂TCS)₂Cl₂ [M = Ni, Cu and Zn], M(HTCS)Cl [M = Co, Ni and Cu], M(HTCS)₂ [M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn], M(TCS)·xH₂O [M = Mn, Co and Ni, x = 2; M = Cu, x = 0], Ni(TCS)py₂ and Cu(TCS)py have been prepared. Elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moment, electronic, IR and ESR spectral studies have been used to characterize these complexes. The different modes of chelation of the ligand and the stereochemistry of the complexes are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of La4BaCu5O13+δ and La4BaCu5−xMxO13+δ: M=Fe, Co, Ni, Zn

La₄BaCu_5−xM_xO_13+δ: M=Fe, Co, Ni, Zn were prepared by the solid-state route at 1000°C. Solid solution limits of x=1.0(1) [Fe], x=1.1(1) [Co], x=1.56(7) [Ni] and x=0.47(1) [Zn] were determined from XRD and EPMA results. Rietveld refinement of combined XRD/neutron powder diffraction data was carried out on undoped La₄BaCu₅O_13+δ and x=1 for M=Fe, Co, Ni. For La₄BaCu₅O_13+δ, which is an oxygen-deficient perovskite, the presence of square planar CuO₄ groups, disordered over the Cu(2) sites with CuO₅ square pyramids, is indicated, together with, for δ<0, either square planar CuO₄ or square pyramidal CuO₅ and octahedral CuO₆ groups disordered over the Cu(1) sites. For M=Fe, Ni, there was preferential substitution onto the one-fold octahedral site; for M=Co, substitution took place on both the one-fold octahedral and four-fold square pyramidal sites.     

CuZnAl/碳纤维复合材料催化合成气制备低碳醇

采用共沉淀法制备CuZnAl类水滑石,将其担载于活化碳纤维（ACFs）表面,通过焙烧还原合成功能化复合催化剂（CuZnAl/ACFs）。借助XRD、FT-IR及N₂吸附-脱附等方法对该复合物进行表征,并将其应用于合成气制备低碳醇的反应中,进行活性评价。结果表明,复合催化剂中活性组分在碳纤维表面均匀分散,碳纤维表面催化剂的颗粒尺寸减小,比表面积增大。ACFs的导电性加速醇合成过程中的电子传递,促进反应进行,因而CO转化率的提高（最高可达47%）。同时,ACFs提高催化剂表面ZnO的分散度,从而促进Cu与ZnO形成金属氧化物界面。这有利于低碳醇的生成,因而使C2以上醇的选择性高达39%。     

CuZnAl/碳纤维复合材料催化合成气制备低碳醇

采用共沉淀法制备CuZnAl类水滑石,将其担载于活化碳纤维(ACFs)表面,通过焙烧还原合成功能化复合催化剂(CuZnAl/ACFs)。借助XRD、FT-IR及N2吸附-脱附等方法对该复合物进行表征,并将其应用于合成气制备低碳醇的反应中,进行活性评价。结果表明,复合催化剂中活性组分在碳纤维表面均匀分散,碳纤维表面催化剂的颗粒尺寸减小,比表面积增大。ACFs的导电性加速醇合成过程中的电子传递,促进反应进行,因而CO转化率的提高(最高可达47%)。同时,ACFs提高催化剂表面ZnO的分散度,从而促进Cu与ZnO形成金属氧化物界面。这有利于低碳醇的生成,因而使C2以上醇的选择性高达39%。     

Template in situ inducing dispersion of nickel on SBA-15 for methane reforming with carbon dioxide

Highly dispersed Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared via template extraction with varying different extraction times (Ni/S-x, x = 0.5, 3.5, 6.5 h) for methane reforming with carbon dioxide. Based on the various characterization results and initial activity evaluation, Ni/S-3.5 h catalyst showed the best catalytic performance. Compared with the catalyst prepared via template calcination (Ni-S), Ni/S-3.5 h catalyst held steady with CH₄ and CO₂ conversions while those of the Ni-S catalyst respectively decreased by 15 and 11% during the long-term stability test at 700 °C for 50 h. As TEM and TG–DSC results confirmed, Ni particles in spent Ni/S-3.5 h catalyst stayed well-dispersed with size slightly increasing from an initial 3.9–4.1 nm and nearly no carbon deposition was observed. On the contrary, Ni-S catalyst was subjected to sintered metal particles (increased from 11.6 to 18 nm) and formed carbon fibers. The prominent resistance to sintering and coking over stable Ni/S-3.5 h catalyst was attributed to the high dispersion and strengthened metal-support interaction induced via the residual in situ templates.     

Crystal structure, microstructure and reducibility of LaNixCo1−xO3 and LaFexCo1−xO3 Perovskites (0<x≤0.5)

Nickel and iron substituted LaCoO₃ with rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure were obtained in the temperature range of 600-900 °C by thermal decomposition of freeze-dried citrates and by the Pechini method. The crystal structure, morphology and defective structure of LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ and LaCo_1−xFe_xO₃ were characterized by X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction, TEM and SEM analyses and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The reducibility was tested by temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen. The products of the partial and complete reduction were determined by ex-situ XRD experiments. The replacement of Co by Ni and Fe led to lattice expansion of the perovskite structure. For perovskites annealed at 900 °C, there was a random Ni, Fe and Co distribution. The morphology of the perovskites does not depend on the Ni and Fe content, nor does it depend on the type of the precursor used. LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ perovskites (x>0.1) annealed at 900 °C are reduced to Co/Ni transition metal and La₂O₃ via the formation of oxygen deficient Brownmillerite-type compositions. For LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ annealed at 600 °C, Co/Ni metal, in addition to oxygen-deficient perovskites, was formed as an intermediate product at the initial stage of the reduction. The interaction of LaCo_1−xFe_xO₃ with H₂ occurs by reduction of Co³⁺ to Co²⁺ prior to the Fe³⁺ ions. The reducibility of Fe-substituted perovskites is less sensitive towards the synthesis procedure in comparison with that of Ni substituted perovskites.     

The structural and thermal stability,electrochemical hydrogenation and corrosion behavior of LaT5−xMx(T = Co,Ni and M = Al,Ge, Li) phases

The structural and thermal stability, electrochemical hydrogenation and corrosion behavior of LaT_5−x(M/Li)_x (T = Co, Ni and M = Al, Ge) alloys have been investigated using x-ray diffraction, SEM with WDS/EDX, DSC and electrochemical techniques. The prepared ternary and quaternary samples are solid solutions on the base of binary LaCo₅ and LaNi₅ compounds with hexagonal CaCu₅ structure type. By partial substitution of transition metals (Ni and Co) by Al, Ge and Li in the LaT_5−x(M/Li)_x alloys the discharge capacity increased by 25%. Doping of LaCo₅ and LaNi₅ binary phases by Al, Ge and Li improves corrosion resistance, thermal stability and absorption capacity during the electrochemical hydrogenation. These alloys passivate effectively in strong alkaline solution.     

Chemoselective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanol using heterogenized cobalt oxide catalysts

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (NPs) supported on porous carbon (CoO_x@CN) were fabricated by one-pot method and the hybrids could efficiently and selectively hydrogenate phenol to cyclohexanol with a high yield of 98%.     

Preparation and characterization of heterobimetallic tetraxanthates and their complexes with Lewis bases

Some new heterobimetallic tetraxanthates of the type M[Ag(Etxant)₂]₂ [M = Co(II) or Ni(II), Etxant = ethylxanthate] and their complexes of general formula M[Ag(Etxant)₂]₂.xL [x = 2 when L= dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), triphenylphosphine (Pph₃), pyridine(py) or 2-aminopyridine (2-ampy); x = 3 when L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy)] have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, infrared and electronic spectral studies. Magnetic and electronic spectral studies indicate square planar geometry around Ni(II) and Co(II) in heterobimetallic tetraxanthates and Ni[Ag(Etxant)₂]₂.2PPh₃ and octahedral geometry around the above metal ions in the remaining complexes.     

Characteristics of La-modified Ni-Al2O3 and Ni-SiO2 catalysts for COx-free hydrogen production by catalytic decomposition of methane

Hydrotalcite precursors of La modified Ni-Al₂O₃ and Ni-SiO₂ catalysts prepared by co-precipitation method and the catalytic activities were examined for the production of CO_x-free H₂ by CH₄ decomposition. Physico-chemical characteristics of fresh, reduced and used catalysts were evaluated by XRD, TPR and O₂ pulse chemisorptions, TEM and BET-SA techniques. XRD studies showed phases due to hydrotalcite-like precursors in oven dried form produced dispersed NiO species upon calcination in static air above 450 °C. Raman spectra of deactivated samples revealed the presence of both ordered and disordered forms of carbon. Ni-La-Al₂O₃ catalyst with a mole ratio of Ni : La : Al = 2 : 0.1 : 0.9 exhibited tremendously high longevity with a hydrogen production rate of 1300 mol_H2 ·mol^?1_Ni. A direct relationship between Ni metal surface area and hydrogen yields was established.     

3-D composite electrodes for high performance PEM fuel cells composed of Pt supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes grown on carbon paper

The 3-D composite electrodes consisting of Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (CN_x) grown directly on carbon paper were successfully prepared. The effect of the nitrogen atom incorporation in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the Pt nanoparticle dispersion and catalytic activities for the oxygen reduction reaction has been investigated. Compared to regular CNTs, highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles with smaller size (2–3 nm) and higher electrochemical Pt surface area as well as higher fuel cell performance were obtained for CN_x.     

Facile synthesis of interstitial metal nitrides with the filled β-manganese structure

A new family of nitrides, Ni_2−xM′_xMo₃N (M′=Co or Pd; 0?x?1.5), has been prepared pure by nitridation of commercially available crystalline metal oxides under reducing conditions (10% H₂ in N₂). The simple synthesis employs standard solid-state techniques and does not require the preparation of reactive precursors. Substitution of Ni by Co or Pd leads to a linear increase of the unit cell volume with composition. The temperature, composition, and magnetic-field dependence of the molar magnetisation suggest that the introduction of Co, but not Pd, increases the degree of electron localisation in Ni_2−xM′_xMo₃N. The same synthetic method has also lead to the formation, in mixtures, of the new phases π-Co₂Mo₃N and Pd₂N.     

Ni nanoparticles as electron-transfer mediators and NiSx as interfacial active sites for coordinative enhancement of H2-evolution performance of TiO2

The development of efficient photocatalytic H₂-evolution materials requires both rapid electron transfer and an effective interfacial catalysis reaction for H₂ production. In addition to the well-known noble metals, low-cost and earth-abundant non-noble metals can also act as electron-transfer mediators to modify photocatalysts. However, as almost all non-noble metals lack the interfacial catalytic active sites required for the H₂-evolution reaction, the enhancement of the photocatalytic performance is limited. Therefore, the development of new interfacial active sites on metal-modified photocatalysts is of considerable importance. In this study, to enhance the photocatalytic evolution of H₂ by Ni-modified TiO₂, the formation of NiS_x as interfacial active sites was promoted on the surface of Ni nanoparticles. Specifically, the co-modified TiO₂/Ni-NiS_x photocatalysts were prepared via a two-step process involving the photoinduced deposition of Ni on the TiO₂ surface and the subsequent formation of NiS_x on the Ni surface by a hydrothermal reaction method. It was found that the TiO₂/Ni-NiS_x photocatalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic H₂-evolution activity. In particular, TiO₂/Ni-NiS_x(30%) showed the highest photocatalytic rate (223.74 μmol h^?1), which was greater than those of TiO₂, TiO₂/Ni, and TiO₂/NiS_x by factors of 22.2, 8.0, and 2.2, respectively. The improved H₂-evolution performance of TiO₂/Ni-NiS_x could be attributed to the excellent synergistic effect of Ni and NiS_x, where Ni nanoparticles function as effective mediators to transfer electrons from the TiO₂ surface and NiS_x serves as interfacial active sites to capture H⁺ ions from solution and promote the interfacial H₂-evolution reaction. The synergistic effect of the non-noble metal cocatalyst and the interfacial active sites may provide new insights for the design of highly efficient photocatalytic materials.     

Synthesis, characterization and activity of Co and Ni catalysts supported on AlMe (Me?=?Zn, Zr, Ti) mixed oxides

Binary Al?CTi, Al?CZr and Al?CZn oxides, prepared by the sol?Cgel method were used as supports of catalytic systems. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of these supports with the low cost Co or Ni nitrate salts and subsequent calcination at 700?°C. Catalysts have been characterized by S_BET, XRD and TPR techniques. The catalysts were tested in ethanol partial oxidation using a fixed-bed quartz reactor at atmospheric pressure and temperature at 600?°C. In test reactions a constant feed composition was used with O₂/EtOH molar ratio of 0.75 in nitrogen balance. The catalytic performance of the systems depends on type of support and type of promoter. Hydrogen and CO are the predominant products beside some by-products in different quantities (CO₂, methane, ethylene, acetaldehyde, acetone, acetic acid). The Co and Ni catalysts supported on AlZn binary oxide showed the highest selectivity to hydrogen and to carbon monoxide with full ethanol conversion. Selectivity of hydrogen follows the order of Co(Ni)AlZn?>?Co(Ni)AlTi?>?Co(Ni)AlZr. The best performance was obtained by NiAlZn catalyst with 89?% hydrogen selectivity.     

Isobutane dehydrogenation over chromia alumina catalysts prepared from MIL-101: Insight into chromium species on activity and selectivity

Various mesoporous chromia alumina catalysts were prepared by five different methods based on a metal-organic framework MIL-101 and their catalytic performances over isobutane dehydrogenation were investigated. The highly dispersed chromium species were produced on catalyst KCr Al-I1 with largest specific surface area of 198 m2 g-1prepared with aluminium isopropoxide(Al(i-OC3H7)3) by ultrasonic impregnation method. However, the catalyst KCr Al-I2 synthesized by stirring impregnation possessed crystalline α-Cr2O3 phase, which was poorly dispersed. Two types of Cr-rich and Al-rich Crx Al2-xO3 solid solutions, designated as Cr Al-I and Cr Al-II phase, were formed over the catalysts KCr Al-I3(prepared by Al(i-OC3H7)3with nitric acid regulation), KCr Al-C4(prepared by aluminium chloride hexahydrate) and KCr Al-N5(prepared by aluminium nitrate nonahydrate). Catalytic evaluation results revealed that KCr Al-I1 exhibited the high isobutane conversion due to its highly dispersed chromium species. However, KCr Al-I3, KCr Al-C4 and KCr Al-N5 showed the higher isobutene selectivity(95.2%-96.4%) on account of the formation of chromia alumina solid solutions in the catalysts. Moreover, the solid solution over the chromia alumina catalysts could greatly suppress the coke formation.     

The stripping voltammetric determination of metals in non-aqueous media on the mercury film electrode prepared in situ determination of lead after its extraction with dithizone using a substitution reaction with Hg-Salt

The catalytic activities for oxygen reduction of La_1?xLn_xNiO₃ (Ln: Nd, Sm) and of La?NiO₃ prepared by various methods were studied. La_0.9Nd_0.1NiO₃ was only a single phase perovskite type oxide in La_1?xLn_xNiO₃, and its catalytic activity was the same as that of LaNiO₃, as expected. All the other oxides of La_1?xLn_xNiO₃ investigated were mixtures consisting of a deformed perovskite structure oxide and a monoclinic lanthanoid oxide, and the catalytic activity decreased with promotion of the substitution, i.e., with increase of x. The deformation of the perovskite structure brings a decrease of the catalytic activity, and this was confirmed by comparison of the activities of three kinds of oxides of the single phase LaNiO₃ which had different degrees of crystallization. A fairly high current density of several tens of mA cm^?2 was obtained on an electrode with a form for practical use, when the oxide was prepared by decomposition of nitrates.     

Mixed oxides of sodium, antimony (5+) and divalent metals (Ni, Co, Zn or Mg)

A family of α-NaFeO₂-type oxides Na_xM_(1+x)/3Sb_(2−x)/3O₂ (M=Ni, Co, Zn, Mg; x≈0.8 or 0.9) has been prepared by solid state reactions and characterized by powder XRD. At x=1, ordering occurs with tripling the unit cells and formula units. The powder patterns for Na₃M₂SbO₆ (M=Ni, Co) comply with both trigonal P3₁12 cell and monoclinic C2/m cell. The Ni compound exhibits also a series of extremely weak reflections (I<0.3%) that need doubling of the c axis, and the final cell is C2/c, a=5.3048(3), b=9.1879(4), c=10.8356(7), β=99.390(5). These ambiguities are explained by stacking faults. The compounds absorb atmospheric moisture with c-axis expansion up to 29%. A delafossite-related superlattice Ag₃Co₂SbO₆ has been prepared by ion exchange and refined: P3₁12, a=5.3842(2), c=18.6613(10). Ionic conductivity of the Na_0.8Ni_0.6Sb_0.4O₂ ceramics, 0.4 S/m at 300 °C, is greater than reported previously, presumably owing to the grain orientation produced by hot pressing.     

Phase relationships and some magnetic properties of spinels in the systems M1−xNixCr2S4 where M = Mn,Fe, Co

Phase relationships between spinel and defect NiAs structures in the systems M_1?xNi_xCr₂S₄ (where M = Mn, Fe, Co) were investigated. It was found that the spinel structure is stable between x = 0 and x = 0.3 when M = Mn or Fe. When M = Co the spinel is formed in the region x = 0 to x ～ 0.4. The apparent stabilization of the defect NiAs phase by Ni²⁺ may be related to the strong sixfold site preference of Ni²⁺. Curie temperatures of all three ferrimagnetic systems increases with increasing Ni²⁺ substitution. This is probably due to higher NiS covalency.