Effect of Cathodic Polarization on the Hydrogen Diffusion through a Steel Membrane from Ethylene Glycol Solutions of HCl Containing As(V)

The connection of the hydrogen diffusion flux through a steel membrane and the fraction of adsorbed hydrogen removed due to the absorption in the metal with the cathodic polarization of the working membrane side and the hydrogen evolution rate in ethylene glycol solutions of HCl (0.05–0.99 M) with a constant ionic force containing 0.5–10 mM of As(V) in the form of H₃AsO₄ is studied.     

Composite electrocatalyst Mo<Subscript>x</Subscript>W<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanosheets on carbon fiber paper for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) or tungsten disulfide (WS₂), as a promising catalyst, is widely investigated for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, a composite electrocatalysts Mo_xW_1-xS₂ is successfully decorated on carbon fiber paper (CFP) through a facile hydrothermal method. The three-dimensional porous CFP can enable the diffusion and penetration of electrolyte. Comparing with MoS₂ and WS₂ catalyst, the composite electrocatalyst Mo_xW_1-xS₂ nanosheets can expose the large number of electrochemically active sites. Hence, the as-prepared Mo_xW_1-xS₂/CFP (3:1) exhibit the outstanding HER catalytic activity with the small Tafel slope of 68 mV dec^?1 and the low overpotential of ??178.4?±?0.5 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2. Chronoamperometric current test for 18 h confirm the long-term stability of the composite electrocatalyst.     

Kinetics and nature of the slow stage of cathodic hydrogen evolution on iron in aqueous and water-ethylene-glycol solutions of HCl in the presence of o-fluorophenylbiguanidine

The influence of the concentration of o-fluorophenylbiguanidine (FF) (0.5–40 mM) on the kinetics of hydrogen evolution on iron in aqueous and ethylene glycol (10 wt % H₂O) solutions with an electrolyte x M HCl + (1 ? x) M LiCl was studied. In aqueous media, the introduction of increasing concentrations of FF led to a transition from one slow stage to other stages in a series: slow discharge → slow recombination → slow lateral diffusion → slow discharge. In ethylene glycol media, the series is formally the same, but there is no initial slow discharge and hydrogen evolution (HER) in supporting solutions is limited by chemical recombination, which shifts to slow lateral diffusion already in the presence of 0.1 mM FF. In aqueous solutions, this change in the nature of the rate-limiting stage requires a 50-fold increase in the FF concentration. Finally, at a certain FF concentration, HER occurs under the conditions of slow discharge.     

On the stability of Al<Subscript>13</Subscript> Keggin cation in aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions

We report the first attempt to study the behavior of the [AlO₄Al1₂(OH)₂₅(H₂O)₁₁]⁶⁺ (Al₁₃) Keggin cation (KC) in water–peroxide solutions. Addition of hydrogen peroxide into an aqueous solution containing the Al₁₃ KC reduces pH due to the acidity of hydrogen peroxide. According to the ²⁷Al NMR studies of water–peroxide solutions prepared just before the NMR experiment, with their pH adjusted to the initial value of 5.5 with aqueous NaOH, the Al₁₃ KC concentration decreases immediately once hydrogen peroxide is added to the initial system. Addition of 18.2 wt % hydrogen peroxide to the initial 0.88 mM Al₁₃ solution gives rise to a fourfold decline in Al₁₃ polyoxo cation concentration to 0.22 mM. Then, the KC concentration in the test system remains unchanged for 1 week. Large hydrogen peroxide amounts (27.9 wt % or higher) added to the initial system almost completely degrade the KC. Sodium sulfate added to the initial water–peroxide solution of Al₁₃ chloride where the hydrogen peroxide concentration is 5.5 wt % precipitates the earlier described Al₁₃ sulfate [AlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₅(H₂O)₁₁](SO₄)₃ · 16H₂O, where the aluminum polyoxo cation does not contain coordinated hydrogen peroxide molecules, peroxo or hydroperoxo groups as shown by X-ray diffraction.     

Thiol-functionalized Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> microspheres with superparamagnetism and their adsorption properties for Au(III) ion separation

Thiol-functionalized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ microspheres (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH) with high saturation magnetization (69.3 emu g^–1), superparamagnetism, and good dispersibility have been prepared by an ethylene glycol reduction method in combination with a modified Stöber method. The as-prepared composite magnetic spheres are characterized with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta potential, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and superconducting quantum interference magnetometer, and tested in separation of Au(III) ions from aqueous solutions. The data for Au(III) adsorption on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH are analyzed with the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, and the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion kinetics models. The adsorption behaviors of Au(III) on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH follow the Langmuir isotherm model, and the adsorption process conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Au(III) on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-SH is 43.7 mg g^–1. Acetate anions play an important role yet Cu(II) ions have little interference in the adsorption of Au(III) on the adsorbent. A satisfactory recovery percentage of 89.5% is acquired by using an eluent with 1 M thiourea and 5% HCl, although thiols have a high affinity to Au(III) ions based on the hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory by Pearson.     

Oxidation of Diethyl Sulfide in Aqueous Solutions by Peroxynitrite and the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NO<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> System

It was found that nitrite anions are effective activators of hydrogen peroxide in the reaction with diethyl sulfide. The observed kinetics are consistent with the proposed intermediate formation of peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH). The rate constants for the reaction of diethyl sulfide Et₂S with the acid ONOOH (k₀ = 1.8⋅10³ L/mol⋅s) and with the anion ONOO⁻ (k₋ = 6⋅10⁻² L/mol⋅s) are respectively 10⁵ and three times higher than with hydrogen peroxide. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Eksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 290–295, September–October, 2005.     

Enhancement of photocatalytic H<Subscript>2</Subscript> evolution over TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nano-sheet films by surface loading NiS nanoparticles

NiS/TiO₂ nano-sheet films (NiS/TiO₂ NSFs) photocatalysts were prepared by loading NiS nanoparticles as noble metal-free cocatalysts on the surface of TiO₂ films through a solvothermal method. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, UV–Vis absorption spectra and XPS analysis. The photocatalytic H₂ evolution and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) experiments indicated that the NiS cocatalysts could efficiently promote the separation of photogenerated charge carriers in TiO₂ and consequently enhance the H₂ evolution activity. The hydrogen yield obtained from the optimal sample reached 4.31 μmol cm^–2 at 3.0 h and the corresponding energy efficiency was about 0.26%, which was 21 times higher than that of pure TiO₂ NSF. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of NiS cocatalyst on the improvement of the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ NSF was also proposed.     

Effect of phosphate doping on electric properties and chemical stability of Ba<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript> protonic conductor

Conductivity of perovskite phosphate–substituted solid solutions of Ba₄Ca₂Nb_{2 –x} P _x O₁₁ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) was studied as a function of temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and water vapors. It is proved that the studied systems are protonic conductors at the temperatures below 600°C in the atmosphere with elevated content of water vapors (pH₂O = 1.92 × 10^–2 atm). Introduction of the tetrahedral [PO₄] group in the complex oxide matrix of Ba₄Ca₂Nb₂O₁₁ results in an increase in the oxygen–ionic (dry air, pH₂O = 1.91 × 10^–4 atm) and protonic conductivities (wet air, pH₂O = 1.92 × 10^–2 atm). Is it found that the doping causes a considerable increase in chemical stability of phases with respect to carbon dioxide.     

Solubility of YF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, CeF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, PrF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, NdF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and DyF<Subscript>3</Subscript> in solutions containing sulfuric and phosphoric acids

The solubility of YF₃, CeF₃, PrF₃, NdF₃, and DyF₃ in solutions containing 0–4.496% mol/L (0–35 wt %) of H₂SO₄ and 0–27.6 g/L of H₃PO₄ (0–20 g/L of P₂O₅) at 20 °C was determined. Higher solubility in sulfuric acid solutions compared to that in hydrochloric and phosphoric acid solutions was attributed to the formation of fluorosulfate complexes M₂(SO₄)F₄(M = Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Dy). The effect of minor concentrations of the phosphate ions on the solubility of YF₃, CeF₃, PrF₃, NdF₃, and DyF₃ in sulfuric acid solutions and the effect of fluoride ions on the recovery of lanthanides during sulfuric acid leaching from the phosphohemihydrate were discussed.     

X-ray photoelectron study of the interaction of H<Subscript>2</Subscript> and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>+O<Subscript>2</Subscript> mixtures on the Pt/MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> model catalyst

The effects of H₂ and H₂ + O₂ gas mixtures of varying composition on the state of the surface of the Pt/MoO₃ model catalyst prepared by vacuum deposition of platinum on oxidized molybdenum foil were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at room temperature and a pressure of 5–150 Torr. For samples with a large Pt/Mo ratio, the XP spectrum of large platinum particles showed that the effect of hydrogen-containing mixtures on the catalyst was accompanied by the reduction of molybdenum oxide. This effect results from the activation of molecular hydrogen due to the dissociation on platinum particles and subsequent spill-over of hydrogen atoms on the support. The effect was not observed at low platinum contents in the model catalyst (i.e., for small Pt particles). It is assumed for the catalyst that the loss of its hydrogen-activating ability is a consequence of the formation of platinum hydride. Possible participation of platinum hydride as intermediate in hydrogen oxidation to H₂O₂ is discussed.     

Folded nanosheet-like Co<Subscript>0.85</Subscript>Se array for overall water splitting

Active, stable, and earth-abundant bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting is pivotal to actualize large-scale water splitting via electrolysis. In this work, the hierarchical folded nanosheet-like Co_0.85Se array on Ni foam is constructed by liquid-phase chemical conversion with cobalt precursor nanorod array. It can serve as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolyte, with a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at overpotential of 232 mV for OER and 129 mV for HER and Tafel slope of 78.9 mV dec^?1 for OER and 95.0 mV dec^?1 for HER, respectively. The two-electrode alkaline water electrolyzer utilizing this folded nanosheet-like Co_0.85Se array as both anode and cathode toward overall water splitting offered a current of 10 mA cm^?2 at a cell voltage of 1.60 V. This work explores an efficient and low-cost electrocatalyst for overall water splitting application in alkaline electrolytes.     

Solid electrolytes with cesium cation conductivity in the Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system

Solid solutions based on cesium monogallate CsGaO₂ are synthesized in the Ga₂O₃-TiO₂-Cs₂O system. Their crystalline structure and also temperature and concentration conductivity dependences are studied. The cesium cation character of conductivity is confirmed. The most conducting samples contain an excess of cesium oxide and have the structure of high-temperature γ-modification of KAlO₂. Their specific conductivity is (5.0–6.7) × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at 400 °C, (2.5–5.0) × 10^?2 S cm^?1 at 700°C at the activation energy of 33–35 kJ/mol^?1.     

Supramolecular 2D structure of [Co(2-Me-Pyz)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>4</Subscript>](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The complex [Co(2-Me-Pyz)₂(H₂O)₄](NO₃)₂ is synthesized and its structure is determined. The crystals are monoclinic: space group P2₁/n, a = 10.685(2) Å, b = 6.837(1), c = 12.515(3) Å, β = 91.84(3)°, V = 913.8(3) ų, ρ_calcd = 1.042 g/cm ³, Z = 2. The Co²⁺ ion (in the inversion center) is coordinated at the vertices of the distorted octahedron by two nitrogen atoms of methylpyrazine and four oxygen atoms of the water molecules (Co(1)–N(1) 2.180(3), average Co(1)–O(w) 2.079(3) Å, angles at the Co atom 87.9(1)–92.1(1)°). Supramolecular pseudometallocycles are formed in the structure through the O(w)–H…N(1) hydrogen bonds between the coordinated H₂O molecules and the terminal nitrogen atoms of the 2-methylpyrazine molecules. Their interaction results in the formation of supramolecular layers joined by the NO₃ groups into a three-dimensional framework.     

Development of nano IrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite-reinforced nickel–phosphorous electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction

Electroless and electroplated nickel electrodes are extensively used for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In the present work, TiO₂-supported IrO₂ mixed oxide composite was prepared and used to reinforce Ni–P electroless plates to be used as catalytic electrodes for HER. The electrodes exhibited high electrocatalytic activity when the electrodes were used for HER. All the parameters including particle size of the catalyst, surface roughness, and surface active sites were studied. The particle size of the IrO₂ catalyst in the mixed oxide was found to have high influence on the catalytic activity of the electrodes. Low overpotential as low as 70 mV at a current density of 200 mA cm⁻² was achieved with the mixed oxide-reinforced Ni–P electrodes.     

Kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of peroxide compounds in the liquid phase of the KOH-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system in vessels made of various materials

Decomposition kinetics of peroxide compounds in the liquid phase of the system KOH-H₂O₂-H₂O at an initial hydrogen peroxide concentration of about 14.5 M and pH 12.7 in vessels made of Pyrex glass, polyethylene terephthalate, and 12Kh18N10T steel was studied in the temperature range from ?10 to +50°C. The main kinetic parameters of the processes under study were determined. The influence exerted by the material of the reaction vessel on the kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of peroxide compounds in the liquid phase of the system under study were determined.     

Hydrogen sorption and electrochemical properties of intermetallic compounds La<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgNi<Subscript>9</Subscript> and La<Subscript>1.9</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>1.1</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>9</Subscript>

Intermetallic compounds La_3–xMg_xNi₉ (x = 1.0, 1.1) were synthesized and their hydrogen sorption and electrochemical properties were studied. The maximum hydrogen storage capacities for La₂MgNi₉ and La_1.9Mg_1.1Ni₉ were shown to be 1.6±0.1 and 1.5±0.1 wt.%, respectively, and the unit cell volume increased by 24% and 16%, respectively, upon the hydrogenation of the alloys. The maximum specific capacity of the electrodes with the La_1.9Mg_1.1Ni₉ and La₂MgNi₉ alloys is 390 mA h g^–1 at a discharge current density of 60 mA g^–1, which is 24% higher as compared to the similar data for the LaNi₅ alloy (315 mA h g^–1). The electrodes demonstrate high specific capacity and performance at high current densities, as well as good cyclic stability.     

Quasi-ternary system Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se-AgTlSe-TlBiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The quasi-ternary system Tl₂Se-AgTlSe-TlBiSe (A) has been investigated by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, microstructural analysis, and microhardness measurements. Polythermal sections AgTlSe-TlBiSe₂, AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆, [Ag_0.5Tl_1.5Se]-TlBiSe₂, Tl₂Se-AgBiSe₂ (0–50 mol % AgBiSe₂), an isothermal section at 500 K, and the projection of the liquidus surface of system A have been constructed. It has been shown that the quasi-binary join AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆ divides system A into two subordinate triangles, namely, Tl₂Se-Tl₉BiSe₆-AgTlSe (B) and AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆-TlBiSe₂ (C). The phase diagram of subsystem B involves a univariant eutectic equilibrium while subsystem C involves an invariant eutectic equilibrium. The ternary eutectic has the coordinates 650 K, 10 mol % TlBiSe₂, and 61 mol % AgTlSe. A continuous series of solid solutions (0–12 mol % AgTlSe) has been found along the Tl₂Se-Tl₉BiSe₆ bordering system. The homogeneity region of TlBiSe₂ extends to 5 mol %.     

WS<Subscript>2</Subscript> grafted on silicon and nano-silicon particles etched: a high-performance electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Most of research has been carried out for the development of electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which are high activity and low cost. In this study, a practical, usable, highly active, cheap, and none noble metal catalyst was developed for HER. To this end, tungsten disulfide supported on silicon (WS₂/Si) and on silicon nanoparticles (WS₂/nano-Si) were prepared. To increase the catalytic activity of WS₂/nano-Si, chemical etching was used to prepare WS₂/nano-Si etched. The synthesized electrocatalysts were characterized using Fortier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods. To evaluate the electrochemical attributes of WS₂/Si and WS₂/n-Si before and after chemical etching, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep, and cyclic voltammetry were used. The electrochemical measurements indicated an intense activity of the WS₂/nano-Si/etched, through a high density of the current and low overpotential for HER, with a small overpotential of 0.14 V, Tafel slopes as small as 45 mV dec^?1, and large cathodic currents. These results show that through etching process of silicon in HF the quantities of the active sites have been changed and increased considerably.     

Hexagram-like CoS-MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> composites with enhanced activity for hydrogen evolution reaction

Hexagram-like CoS-MoS₂ composites were prepared on indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive glasses via cyclic voltammetry electrodeposition using Co(NO₃)₂ and (NH₄)₂MoS₂ as precursors and tested for application in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The structure of CoS-MoS₂ composites was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). Electrochemical characterizations indicate that CoS-MoS₂ composites exhibit more excellent catalytic activity and stability than MoS₂. Compared with pure MoS₂, the hexagram-like CoS-MoS₂ composites with increased specific surface area improved the density of exposed active sites, and the Co binding S edges in CoS-MoS₂ composites promote the number of highly catalytic edge sites and decreased the binding energy △G _H. Moreover, the effects of different substrates on the CoS-MoS₂ composites were also investigated. Our further understanding of this highly active hydrogen evolution catalyst can facilitate the development of economical electrochemical hydrogen production systems.     

Interactions in the NdF<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MF<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Ba,Sr) systems

Isothermal anneals (at 873 K) and powder X-ray diffraction were used to study isothermal sections of phase diagrams of the NdF₃-Nd₂O₃-MF₂ (M = Ba, Sr) systems. In studying the NdF₃-Nd₂O₃-BaF₂ system, classical solid-phase synthesis was supplemented with mechanochemical activation of feedstock mixtures or BaF₂ activated with gaseous hydrogen fluoride was used. In both systems, a solid solution with the fluorite structure based on MF₂ and NdOF phases, a solid solution with the tysonite structure based on NdF₃, and an ordered fluorite-related phase Ba₄Nd₃F₁₇ were found. The NdOF-based solid solutions were shown to have polymorphism: β_trig ai α_cub at ≈800 K; a new trigonal phase of these solid solutions has been discovered. The effect of a dimensional factor $\left( {R_{Ba^{2 + } } > R_{Sr^{2 + } } } \right)$\left( {R_{Ba^{2 + } } > R_{Sr^{2 + } } } \right) on phase formation and unit cell parameters of the solid solutions was traced.