Phytic Acid-Based FeCo Bimetallic Metal-Organic Gels for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Electrocatalysts have been developed to improve the efficiency of gas release for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and finding a simple and efficient method for efficient electrocatalysts has inspired research enthusiasm. Herein, we report bimetallic metal-organic gels derived from phytic acid (PA) and mixed transition metal ions to explore their performance in electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction. PA is a natural phosphorus-rich organic compound, which can be obtained from plant seeds and grains. PA reacts with bimetallic ions (Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺) in a facile one-pot synthesis under mild conditions to form PA-FeCo bimetallic gels, and the corresponding aerogels are further partially reduced with NaBH₄ to improve the electrocatalytic activity. Mixed valence states of Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Co(III)/Co(II) are present in the materials. Excellent OER performance in terms of overpotential (257 mV at 20 mA cm⁻²) and Tafel slope (36 mV dec⁻¹) is achieved in an alkaline electrolyte. This reduction method is superior to the pyrolysis method by well maintaining the gel morphology structure. This strategy is conducive to the further improvement of the performance of metal-organic electrocatalysts, and provides guidance for the subsequent application of metal-organic gel electrocatalysts.     

Ion-Selective Sensors

Numerous advances have recently been made in the development of ion-selective (glass, solid, liquid) membrane electrode systems. The theoretical principles and practical requirements of such “sensors” are outlined in this article, and an attempt is made to review their possible applications.     

Probing the Local Reaction Environment During High Turnover Carbon Dioxide Reduction with Ag-Based Gas Diffusion Electrodes

Discerning the influence of electrochemical reactions on the electrode microenvironment is an unavoidable topic for electrochemical reactions that involve the production of OH⁻ and the consumption of water. That is particularly true for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), which together with the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) exert changes in the local OH⁻ and H₂O activity that in turn can possibly affect activity, stability, and selectivity of the CO₂RR. We determine the local OH⁻ and H₂O activity in close proximity to a CO₂-converting Ag-based gas diffusion electrode (GDE) with product analysis using gas chromatography. A Pt nanosensor is positioned in the vicinity of the working GDE using shear-force-based scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) approach curves, which allows monitoring changes invoked by reactions proceeding within an otherwise inaccessible porous GDE by potentiodynamic measurements at the Pt-tip nanosensor. We show that high turnover HER/CO₂RR at a GDE lead to modulations of the alkalinity of the local electrolyte, that resemble a 16 m KOH solution, variations that are in turn linked to the reaction selectivity.     

MOF‐Derived Hollow CoS Decorated with CeOx Nanoparticles for Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysis

Transition‐metal sulfides (TMSs) have emerged as important candidates for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Now a hybrid nanostructure has been decorated with CeO_x nanoparticles on the surface of ZIF‐67‐derived hollow CoS through in situ generation. Proper control of the amount of CeO_x on the surface of CoS can achieve precise tuning of Co²⁺/Co³⁺ ratio, especially for the induced defects, further boosting the OER activity. Meanwhile, the formation of protective CeO_x thin layer effectively inhibits the corrosion by losing cobalt ion species from the active surface into the solution. It is thus a rare example of a hybrid hetero‐structural electrocatalyst with CeO_x NPs to improve the performance of the hollow TMS nanocage.     

Synthesis of PDMS-Based Porous Materials for Biomedical Applications

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)-based porous organically modified silicates (ORMOSILs) for biomedical applications were synthesized through a sol-gel process, using sucrose particles as templates. These materials were characterized by ²⁹Si CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy, thin film X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Their bioactivity was evaluated using a simulated body fluid (SBF) of Kokubo recipe. These materials had a bimodal porous structure with pores of 300–500 m and 10–50 m in diameter. NMR showed that the silanol groups of the PDMS chain cross-linked to silica derived from the hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS. The samples containing Ca(II) exhibited apatite deposition on the pore walls within 3 days in SBF.     

Fast Response Oxygen Micro-Optodes Based on Novel Soluble Ormosil Glasses

 A new type of phenyl substituted ormosils as a matrix for oxygen-sensitive micro-optodes is described. The new ormosils combine features of classical polymers such as solubility in organic solvents and those of sol–gel glasses such as mechanical stability and a porous structure. They make possible a simple and fast fabrication of microsensors with reproducible properties. The influence of the conditions during the polymerisation process (precursor composition and thermal treatment) on the sensing properties has been studied in detail. Oxygen-sensitive films with ruthenium(II)–tris-(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and platinum(II)–octaethylporphyrin as indicators were characterised with respect to their mechanical and photophysical properties. Photostability, oxygen sensitivity, response behaviour and signal intensities of the sensing films and the micro-optodes were examined. Micro-optodes based on the new sensing materials are fast responding, photostable and can be produced with a sufficient batch to batch reproducibility. Compared to previously described oxygen micro-optodes, where polystyrene was used as immobilisation matrix, the new sensors can be autoclaved and show favourable properties such as a faster response and a higher sensitivity. They possess many potential applications in medical and biological research. Received June 12, 1998. Revision December 10, 1998.     

光纤氧传感器技术进展

综述了近年来国内外光纤氧传感器技术的研究及应用情况,探索了光纤和荧光指示剂的进展,阐述了氧传感技术和制作氧传感膜的机理及光纤氧传感器的应用情况,并展望了光纤氧传感器的发展趋势。     

热电极技术在电化学传感器中的应用

热电极技术是使用电流直接或间接加热微电极,通过控制施加电流的时间和大小来调节电极表面的温度。电极加热时可以只提高电极表面温度,而溶液的整体温度并不改变。由于温度对电化学反应速率、物质的扩散和对流均有影响,使用热电极技术可以减少背景噪音、提高检测的灵敏度与重现性。因此,热电极技术因其简单的加热设备、更高的检测灵敏度和更低的电极污染效应,在电化学分析领域引起了普遍关注。本文介绍了热电极技术的发展概况、工作原理、电极设计思路、电极温度的测量与控制、电极种类以及在电化学检测系统、电致化学发光检测系统、流动注射安培检测系统、毛细管电泳/芯片-电化学/电致化学发光检测系统中的相关应用。最后展望了该技术的发展趋势。     

Polypyrrole Nanoparticles Based Disposable Potentiometric Sensors

In this work polypyrrole nanoparticles of high electrochemical activity were used to prepare disposable, potentiometric sensors with a paper support. The paper support modified with polypyrrole nanoparticles served as electrical lead and ion‐to‐electron transducer and it was covered by a typical poly(vinyl chloride) based ion‐selective membrane. The properties of this arrangement were tested on example of potassium‐selective electrodes. The sensors prepared benefited from the properties of conducting polymer nanostructures: high electrical conductivity and electroactivity as well as absence of suspension stabilizing agent. The obtained electrodes were characterized with analytical parameters well comparable with those of classical ion‐selective electrodes.     

WO3基气敏传感器*

气敏传感器已在生物、化学、航空、军事等领域获得了广泛的应用。鉴于WO₃基气敏传感器是检测H₂S、NO_x、O₃和NH₃等气体最有前景的新型氧化物气敏传感器之一,本文以不同的敏感气体为分类依据系统阐述了近年来WO₃基气敏传感器的研究进展,详细探讨了制备方法及贵金属掺杂对上述各种气体气敏性能的影响,并指出了目前WO₃基气敏传感器在研究过程中存在的问题。     

Bifunctional Catalysts for Reversible Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Metal-air batteries (MABs) and reversible fuel cells (RFCs) rely on the bifunctional oxygen catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Finding efficient bifunctional oxygen catalysts is the ultimate goal and it has attracted a great deal of attention. The dilemma is that a good ORR catalyst is not necessarily efficient for OER, and vice versa. Thus, the development of a new type of bifunctional oxygen catalysts should ensure that the catalysts exhibit high activity for both OER and ORR. Composites with multicomponents for active centers supported on highly conductive matrices could be able to meet the challenges and offering new opportunities. In this Review, the evolution of bifunctional catalysts is summarized and discussed aiming to deliver high-performance bifunctional catalysts with low overpotentials.     

Enhancing Electrochemical Water‐Splitting Kinetics by Polarization‐Driven Formation of Near‐Surface Iron(0): An In Situ XPS Study on Perovskite‐Type Electrodes

In the search for optimized cathode materials for high‐temperature electrolysis, mixed conducting oxides are highly promising candidates. This study deals with fundamentally novel insights into the relation between surface chemistry and electrocatalytic activity of lanthanum ferrite based electrolysis cathodes. For this means, near‐ambient‐pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP‐XPS) and impedance spectroscopy experiments were performed simultaneously on electrochemically polarized La_0.6Sr_0.4FeO_3?δ (LSF) thin film electrodes. Under cathodic polarization the formation of Fe⁰ on the LSF surface could be observed, which was accompanied by a strong improvement of the electrochemical water splitting activity of the electrodes. This correlation suggests a fundamentally different water splitting mechanism in presence of the metallic iron species and may open novel paths in the search for electrodes with increased water splitting activity.     

酞菁钴及其衍生物修饰电极对分子氧的电催化还原

在玻碳电极上采用吸附法制备了四溴代酞菁钴(CoPcBr₄)、酞菁钴(CoPc)和四-α-(2,2,4-三甲基-3-戊氧基)酞菁钴(CoPc(OC₈H₁₇)₄)修饰电极。利用循环伏安法和线性扫描伏安法研究了修饰电极在酸性介质中对分子氧的电催化还原,比较了不同取代基的酞菁钴对电催化性质的影响。结果表明,它们对分子氧还原均具有良好的电催化活性,其中酞菁钴和四-α-(2,2,4-三甲基-3-戊氧基)酞菁钴对O₂的催化是2电子还原生成H₂O₂,与裸电极相比,O₂的还原峰电位分别向正方向移动了0.33和0.48 V。而四溴代酞菁钴修饰电极在-0.1和-0.7 V附近产生的2个还原峰,说明它催化O₂到H₂O₂的还原以后还可以促进H₂O₂继续还原到H₂O,最终实现O₂的4电子还原。     

用于电催化析氧反应电极的制备策略

随着能源枯竭和环境污染等问题的日益严重,开发清洁可再生能源及相关新型技术迫在眉睫。近年来,水分解、金属-空气电池等电化学能源储存和转换技术得到人们的广泛关注。电催化析氧反应(Oxygen evolution reaction,OER)是其中的一个关键反应,大量高性能的OER电催化剂不断见诸报道。除了材料本征催化活性的影响,不同的电极制备方式同样会对催化剂性能的发挥起到重要作用,越来越多的研究者致力于探索高效OER电极的设计与制备方法。本综述从方法论的角度,详细介绍了目前高效OER电极的制备策略,讨论了各类制备方式的优势和不足,总结了相关工作的最新研究进展,概述了新型电极的制备方法。最后,对电极制备策略的发展方向进行了总结与展望。     

Synthesis of Highly Active and Stable Spinel‐Type Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts by a Rapid Inorganic Self‐Templating Method

Composition‐adjustable spinel‐type metal oxides, Mn_xCo_3?xO_4?δ (x=0.8–1.4), were synthesized in ethanol solutions by a rapid inorganic self‐templating mechanism using KCl nanocrystals as the structure‐directing agent. The Mn_xCo_3?xO_4?δ materials showed ultrahigh oxygen evolution activity and strong durability in alkaline solutions, and are capable of delivering a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at 1.58 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M KOH solution, which is superior in comparison to IrO₂ catalysts under identical experimental conditions, and comparable to the most active noble‐metal and transition‐metal oxygen evolution electrocatalysts reported so far. The high performance for catalytic oxygen evolution originates from both compositional and structural features of the synthesized materials. The moderate content of Mn doping into the spinel framework led to their improved electronic conductivity and strong oxidizing ability, and the well‐developed porosity, accompanied with the high affinity between OH^? reactants and catalyst surface, contributed to the smooth mass transport, thus endowing them with superior oxygen evolution activity.     

Local Activities of Hydroxide and Water Determine the Operation of Silver‐Based Oxygen Depolarized Cathodes

Local ion activity changes in close proximity to the surface of an oxygen depolarized cathode (ODC) were measured by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). While the operating ODC produces OH^? ions and consumes O₂ and H₂O through the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), local changes in the activity of OH^? ions and H₂O are detected by means of a positioned Pt microelectrode serving as an SECM tip. Sensing at the Pt tip is based on the pH‐dependent reduction of PtO and obviates the need for prior electrode modification steps. It can be used to evaluate the coordination numbers of OH^? ions and H₂O, and the method was exploited as a novel approach of catalyst activity assessment. We show that the electrochemical reaction on highly active catalysts can have a drastic influence on the reaction environment.     

Acid–Base Interaction Enhancing Oxygen Tolerance in Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Hybrid electrodes with improved O₂ tolerance and capability of CO₂ conversion into liquid products in the presence of O₂ are presented. Aniline molecules are introduced into the pore structure of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity to expand its gas separation functionality beyond pure physical sieving. The chemical interaction between the acidic CO₂ molecule and the basic amino group of aniline renders enhanced CO₂ separation from O₂. Loaded with a cobalt phthalocyanine‐based cathode catalyst, the hybrid electrode achieves a CO Faradaic efficiency of 71 % with 10 % O₂ in the CO₂ feed gas. The electrode can still produce CO at an O₂/CO₂ ratio as high as 9:1. Switching to a Sn‐based catalyst, for the first time O₂‐tolerant CO₂ electroreduction to liquid products is realized, generating formate with nearly 100 % selectivity and a current density of 56.7 mA cm^?2 in the presence of 5 % O₂.     

硫掺杂有序介孔碳材料作为燃料电池氧还原催化剂

以百里香酚蓝为前驱物,采用硬模版法一步合成硫掺杂的有序介孔碳材料(S-OMC)。在900℃下热解负载百里香酚蓝的介孔二氧化硅SBA-15,获得了具有石墨孔壁结构的有序介孔碳材料(S-OMC-900)。硫元素均匀有效地分布在碳材料介孔孔壁上,并对催化氧还原反应(ORR)起到了关键性作用。S掺杂的有序介孔碳材料的比表面积为1 230 m~2·g~(-1),孔径4.6 nm,有序的孔道结构保证了氧还原反应的物料运输,增大了催化活性。测试结果表明,所制备的S-OMC-900具有良好的催化活性和稳定性。与商业Pt/C比较,S-OMC-900具有更好的甲醇耐受性。     

Spatially Confined Assembly of Monodisperse Ruthenium Nanoclusters in a Hierarchically Ordered Carbon Electrode for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

The redox units of polyaniline (PAni) are used cooperatively, and in situ, to assemble ruthenium (Ru) nanoclusters in a hierarchically ordered carbon electrode. The oxidized quinonoid imine (QI) units in PAni bond Ru complex ions selectively, whereas reduced benzenoid amine (BA) units cannot. By electrochemically tuning the ratio of QI to BA, Ru complexes are spatially confined in the outer layer of hierarchical PAni frameworks. Carbonization of Ru‐PAni hybrids induces nucleation on the outer surface of the carbon support, generating nearly monodisperse Ru nanoclusters. The optimized catalyst has a low loading of approximately 2 wt % Ru, but exhibits a mass activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction that is about 6.8 times better than commercial 20 wt % Pt/C catalyst.