Rational design of quinones for high power density biofuel cells

Enzymatic fuel cells (EFCs) are devices that can produce electrical energy by enzymatic oxidation of energy-dense fuels (such as glucose). When considering bioanode construction for EFCs, it is desirable to use a system with a low onset potential and high catalytic current density. While these two properties are typically mutually exclusive, merging these two properties will significantly enhance EFC performance. We present the rational design and preparation of an alternative naphthoquinone-based redox polymer hydrogel that is able to facilitate enzymatic glucose oxidation at low oxidation potentials while simultaneously producing high catalytic current densities. When coupled with an enzymatic biocathode, the resulting glucose/O₂ EFC possessed an open-circuit potential of 0.864 ± 0.006 V, with an associated maximum current density of 5.4 ± 0.5 mA cm^–2. Moreover, the EFC delivered its maximum power density (2.3 ± 0.2 mW cm^–2) at a high operational potential of 0.55 V.     

Controlled Synthesis of 3D Flower‐like Ni2P Composed of Mesoporous Nanoplates for Overall Water Splitting

Developing efficient non‐noble metal and earth‐abundant electrocatalysts with tunable microstructures for overall water splitting is critical to promote clean energy technologies for a hydrogen economy. Herein, novel three‐dimensional (3D) flower‐like Ni₂P composed of mesoporous nanoplates with controllable morphology and high surface area was prepared by a hydrothermal method and low‐temperature phosphidation as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Compared with the urchin‐like Ni_x P_y , the 3D flower‐like Ni₂P with a diameter of 5 μm presented an efficient and stable catalytic performance in 0.5 m H₂SO₄, with a small Tafel slope of 79 mV dec⁻¹ and an overpotential of about 240 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² with a mass loading density of 0.283 mg cm⁻². In addition, the catalyst also exhibited a remarkable performance for the OER in 1.0 m KOH electrolyte, with an overpotential of 320 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 72 mV dec⁻¹. The excellent catalytic performance of the as‐prepared Ni₂P may be ascribed to its novel 3D morphology with unique mesoporous structure.     

Hollow Nanotube Ru/Cu2+1O Supported on Copper Foam as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Overall Water Splitting

Hydrogen energy is considered as one of the ideal clean energies for solving the energy shortage and environmental issues, and developing highly efficient electrocatalysts for overall water splitting to produce hydrogen is still a huge challenge. Herein, for the first time, Ru-doped Cu₂₊₁O vertically arranged nanotube arrays in situ grown on Cu foam (Ru/Cu₂₊₁O NT/CuF) are reported and further investigated for their catalytic properties for overall water splitting. The Ru/Cu₂₊₁O NT/CuF presents ultrahigh catalytic activities for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline conditions, and it exhibits a small overpotential of 32 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² in the HER, and only needs 210 mV overpotential to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in the OER. Importantly, the alkaline electrolyzer using Ru/Cu₂₊₁O NT/CuF as a bifunctional electrocatalyst only needs 1.53 V voltage to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², which is much lower than the benchmark of IrO₂(+)/Pt(−) counterpart (1.64 V at 10 mA cm⁻²). The excellent performance of the Ru/Cu₂₊₁O NT/CuF catalyst is attributed to its high conductive substrate and special Ru-doped nanotube structure, which provides a high electrochemical active surface area and 3D gas diffusion channel.     

Enzyme repurposing of a hydrolase as an emergent peroxidase upon metal binding

As an alternative to Darwinian evolution relying on catalytic promiscuity, a protein may acquire auxiliary function upon metal binding, thus providing it with a novel catalytic machinery. Here we show that addition of cupric ions to a 6-phosphogluconolactonase 6-PGLac bearing a putative metal binding site leads to the emergence of peroxidase activity (k_cat 7.8 × 10^–2 s^–1, K_M 1.1 × 10^–5 M). Both X-ray crystallographic and EPR data of the copper-loaded enzyme Cu·6-PGLac reveal a bis-histidine coordination site, located within a shallow binding pocket capable of accommodating the o-dianisidine substrate.     

Solar-microbial hybrid device based on oxygen-deficient niobium pentoxide anodes for sustainable hydrogen production

Hydrogen gas is emerging as an attractive fuel with high energy density for the direction of energy resources in the future. Designing integrated devices based on a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) represents a promising strategy to produce hydrogen fuel at a low price. In this work, we demonstrate a new solar-microbial (PEC–MFC) hybrid device based on the oxygen-deficient Nb₂O₅ nanoporous (Nb₂O_5–x NPs) anodes for sustainable hydrogen generation without external bias for the first time. Owing to the improved conductivity and porous structure, the as-prepared Nb₂O_5–x NPs film yields a remarkable photocurrent density of 0.9 mA cm^–2 at 0.6 V (vs. SCE) in 1 M KOH aqueous solution under light irradiation, and can achieve a maximum power density of 1196 mW m^–2 when used as an anode in a MFC device. More importantly, a solar-microbial hybrid system by combining a PEC cell with a MFC is designed, in which the Nb₂O_5–x NPs electrodes function as both anodes. The as-fabricated PEC–MFC hybrid device can simultaneously realize electricity and hydrogen using organic matter and solar light at zero external bias. This novel design and attempt might provide guidance for other materials to convert and store energy.     

Synthesis of Tri‐functional Core‐shell CuO@carbon Quantum Dots@carbon Hollow Nanospheres Heterostructure for Non‐enzymatic H2O2 Sensing and Overall Water Splitting Applications

A core‐shell structure with CuO core and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and carbon hollow nanospheres (CHNS) shell was prepared through facile in‐situ hydrothermal process. The composite was used for non‐enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensing and electrochemical overall water splitting. The core‐shell structure was established from the transmission electron microscopy image analysis. Raman and UV‐Vis spectroscopy analysis confirmed the interaction between CuO and CQDs. The electrochemical studies showed the limit of detection and sensitivity of the prepared composite as 2.4 nM and 56.72 μA μM^?1 cm^?2, respectively. The core‐shell structure facilitated better charge transportation which in turn exhibited elevated electro‐catalysis towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and overall water splitting. The overpotential of 159 mV was required to achieve 10 mA cm^?2 current density for HER and an overpotential of 322 mV was required to achieve 10 mA cm^?2 current density for OER in 1.0 M KOH. A two‐electrode system was constructed for overall water splitting reaction, which showed 10 and 50 mA cm^?2 current density at 1.83 and 1.96 V, respectively. The prepared CuO@CQDs@CHNS catalyst demonstrated excellent robustness in HER and OER catalyzing condition along with overall water splitting reaction. Therefore, the CuO@CQDs@CHNS could be considered as promising electro‐catalyst for H₂O₂ sensing, HER, OER and overall water splitting.     

Ruthenium-modified porous NiCo2O4 nanosheets boost overall water splitting in alkaline solution

Exploring efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts is crucial for developing water splitting devices. The composition and structure of catalysts are of great importance for catalytic performance. In this work, a heterogeneous Ru modified strategy is engineered to improve the catalytic performance of porous NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets (NSs). Profiting from favorable elements composition and optimized structure property of decreased charge transfer barrier, more accessible active sites and increased oxygen vacancy concentration, the Ru-NiCo₂O₄ NSs exhibits excellent OER activity with a low overpotential of 230 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA/cm² and decent durability. Furthermore, Ru-NiCo₂O₄ NSs show superior HER activity than the pristine NiCo₂O₄ NSs, as well. When assembling Ru-NiCo₂O₄ NSs couple as an alkaline water electrolyzer, a cell voltage of 1.60 V can deliver the current density of 10 mA/cm². This work provides feasible guidance for improving the catalytic performance of spinel-based oxides.     

Two‐Dimensional Co@N‐Carbon Nanocomposites Facilely Derived from Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets for Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalysis

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF‐derived nanomaterials have recently attracted great interest as highly efficient, non‐noble‐metal catalysts. In particular, two‐dimensional MOF nanosheet materials possess the advantages of both 2D layered nanomaterials and MOFs and are considered to be promising nanomaterials. Herein, we report a facile and scalable in situ hydrothermal synthesis of Co–hypoxanthine (HPA) MOF nanosheets, which were then directly carbonized to prepare uniform Co@N‐Carbon nanosheets for efficient bifunctional electrocatalytic hydrogen‐evolution reactions (HERs) and oxygen‐evolution reactions (OERs). The Co embedded in N‐doped carbon shows excellent and stable catalytic performance for bifunctional electrocatalytic OERs and HERs. For OERs, the overpotential of Co@N‐Carbon at 10 mA cm^?2 was 400 mV (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE). The current density of Co@N‐Carbon reached 100 mA cm^?2 at an overpotential of 560 mV, which showed much better performance than RuO₂; the largest current density of RuO₂ that could be reached was only 44 mA cm^?2. The Tafel slope of Co@N‐Carbon was 61 mV dec^?1, which is comparable to that of commercial RuO₂ (58 mV dec^?1). The excellent electrocatalytic properties can be attributed to the nanosheet structure and well‐dispersed carbon‐encapsulated Co, CoN nanoparticles, and N‐dopant sites, which provided high conductivity and a large number of accessible active sites. The results highlight the great potential of utilizing MOF nanosheet materials as promising templates for the preparation of 2D Co@N‐Carbon materials for electrocatalysis and will pave the way to the development of more efficient 2D nanomaterials for various catalytic applications.     

Laser-induced pinpoint hydrogen evolution from benzene and water using metal free single-walled carbon nanotubes with high quantum yields

Metal-free photocatalytic hydrogen evolution occurred efficiently in benzene containing single-walled carbon nanotubes under laser irradiation at 532 nm with an extremely high turnover number of 2 000 000 and a high quantum yield of 130%. The rate of hydrogen evolution increased with increasing laser intensity to exhibit a fourth power dependence, suggesting that hydrogen was evolved via four-photon processes in which the coupling of two radical anions derived from benzene is the rate-determining step and the benzene radical anion is produced by electron transfer from benzene to the doubly excited state of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which requires two photons. Polymerisation of benzene was induced by the photogenerated C₆H₆˙^–, accompanied by hydrogen evolution, resulting in a leverage effect to increase the quantum yield of hydrogen evolution to well over the 25% expected for the four-photon process. Laser-induced hydrogen evolution also occurred in water containing single-walled carbon nanotubes. In contrast to the case of benzene, water was not oxidized but hydrogen evolution from water was accompanied by the multi-oxidation of single-walled carbon nanotubes. The yield of hydrogen based on one mole of single-walled carbon nanotubes with 1.4 nm diameter and 1–5 mm length was determined to be 2 700 000%, when oxidations of single-walled carbon nanotubes occurred to produce the polyhydroxylated product.     

Controlled Synthesis of Ni-Doped MoS2 Hybrid Electrode for Synergistically Enhanced Water-Splitting Process

The development of high-efficiency, low-cost, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for overall water splitting remains a challenge. In this work, Ni-modified MoS₂ hybrid catalysts are grown on carbon cloth (Ni-Mo-S@CC) through a one-step hydrothermal treatment. The optimized Ni-Mo-S@CC catalyst shows excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with a low overpotential of 168 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 m KOH, which is lower than those of Ni-Mo-S@CC (1:1), Ni-Mo-S@CC (3:1), and pure MoS₂. Significantly, the Ni-Mo-S@CC hybrid catalyst also displays outstanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with a low overpotential of 320 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², and remarkable long-term stability for 30 h at a constant current density of 10 mA cm⁻². Experimental results and theoretical analysis based on density functional theory demonstrate that the excellent electrocatalytic performance can be attributed mainly to the remarkable conductivity, abundant active sites, and synergistic effect of the Ni-doped MoS₂. This work sheds light on a unique strategy for the design of high-performance and stable electrocatalysts for water-splitting electrolyzers.     

Molybdenum‐tungsten Oxide Nanowires Rich in Oxygen Vacancies as An Advanced Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

Electrolysis of water is a promising way to produce hydrogen fuel in large scale. The commercialization of this technology requires highly efficient non‐noble metal electrocatalysts to decease the energy input for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, a novel nanowire structured molybdenum‐tungsten bimetallic oxide (CTAB‐D‐W₄MoO₃) is synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method followed with post annealing treatment. The obtained metal oxides feature with enhanced conductivity, rich oxygen vacancies and customized electronic structure. As such, the composite electrocatalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for HER in an acidic environment, achieving a large current density of 100 mA cm^?2 at overpotential of only 286 mV and a small Tafel slope of 71.2 mV dec^?1. The excellent electrocatalytic HER performance of CTAB‐D‐W₄MoO₃ is attributed to the unique nanowire structure, rich catalytic active sites and promoted electron transfer rate.     

Controlled Synthesis of Cr‐Co0.85Se Nanoarrays for Water Splitting at an Ultralow Cell Voltage of 1.43 V

Water splitting has attracted more and more attention as a promising strategy for the production of clean hydrogen fuel. In this work, a new synthesis strategy was proposed, and Co_0.85Se was synthesized on nickel foam as the main matrix. The doping of appropriate Cr amount into the target of Co_0.85Se and the Cr‐Co_0.85Se resulted in an excellent electrochemical performance. The doping of Cr introduces Cr³⁺ ions which substitute Co²⁺ and Co³⁺ ions in Co_0.85Se, so that the lattice parameters of the main matrix were changed. It is worth noting that the Cr0.15‐Co_0.85Se/NF material exhibits an excellent performance in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) test. When the current density reaches 50 mA cm^?2 for OER, the overpotential is only 240 mV. For the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) tests, the overpotential is only 117 mV to drive 10 mA cm^?2 of current density. Moreover, when the Cr0.15‐Co_0.85Se/NF material is used as a two‐electrode device for whole water splitting, the required cell voltage is only 1.43 V to reach a current density of 10 mA cm^?2, which is among the lowest values of the published catalysts up to now. In addition, the Cr0.15‐Co_0.85Se/NF catalyst also exhibits excellent stability during a long period of water splitting. The experimental result demonstrates that the change of the lattice structure has an obvious influence on the electrocatalytic activity of the material. When an external electric field is applied, it facilitates the rapid electron transfer rate and enhances the electrocatalytic performance and stability of the material.     

Fabrication of NiC/MoC/NiMoO4 Heterostructured Nanorod Arrays as Stable Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Developing noble‐metal‐free, earth‐abundant, highly active, and stable electrocatalysts with high efficiency for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions is of great importance for the development of overall water‐splitting devices, but still remains a challenging issue. Herein, a 3D heterostructured NiC/MoC/NiMoO₄ electrocatalyst was prepared through a facile synthetic procedure. The electrocatalyst shows a superior catalytic activity and stability toward the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. The optimized NiC/MoC/NiMoO₄ catalyst presents low overpotentials of 68 and 280 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in 1.0 m KOH for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, respectively. Assembled as an electrolyzer for overall water splitting, such a heterostructure shows quite a low cell voltage of 1.52 V at 10 mA cm^?2 and remarkable stability for more than 20 h. This work provides a facile but efficient approach for the design and preparation of highly efficient bifunctional and self‐supported heterostructured electrocatalysts that can serve as promising candidates in electrochemical energy storage and conversion.     

A hexanuclear gold carbonyl cluster

The hexanuclear gold carbonyl cluster [PPh₄]₂[Au₆(CF₃)₆Br₂(CO)₂] (4) has been obtained by spontaneous self-assembly of the following independent units: CF₃AuCO (1) and [PPh₄][Br(AuCF₃)₂] (3). The cyclo-Au₆ aggregate 4, in which the components are held together by unassisted, fairly strong aurophilic interactions (Au···Au ∼310 pm), exhibits a cyclohexane-like arrangement with chair conformation. These aurophilic interactions also result in significant ν(CO) lowering: from 2194 cm^–1 in the separate component 1 to 2171 cm^–1 in the mixed aggregate 4. Procedures to prepare the single-bridged dinuclear component 3 as well as the mononuclear derivative [PPh₄][CF₃AuBr] (2) are also reported.     

NixCo3‐xO4 Nanoneedle Arrays Grown on Ni Foam as an Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Full Water Splitting

Developing highly active, stable and robust electrocatalysts based on earth‐abundant elements for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is important for many renewable energy conversion processes. Herein, Ni_xCo_3‐xO₄ nanoneedle arrays grown on 3D porous nickel foam (NF) was synthesized as a bifunctional electrocatalyst with OER and HER activity for full water splitting. Benefiting from the advantageous structure, the composite exhibits superior OER activity with an overpotential of 320 mV achieving the current density of 10 mA cm^?2. An exceptional HER activity is also acquired with an overpotential of 170 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm^?2. Furthermore, the catalyst also shows the superior activity and stability for 20 h when used in the overall water splitting cell. Thus, the hierarchical 3D structure composed of the 1D nanoneedle structure in Ni_xCo_3‐xO₄/NF represents an avenue to design and develop highly active and bifunctional electrocatalysts for promising energy conversion.     

A Molecular Tetrahedral Cobalt–Seleno-Based Complex as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting

The cobalt–seleno-based coordination complex, [Co{(SePⁱPr₂)₂N}₂], is reported with respect to its catalytic activity in oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER, respectively) in alkaline solutions. An overpotential of 320 and 630 mV was required to achieve 10 mA cm⁻² for OER and HER, respectively. The overpotential for OER of this CoSe₄-containing complex is one of the lowest that has been observed until now for molecular cobalt(II) systems, under the reported conditions. In addition, this cobalt–seleno-based complex exhibits a high mass activity (14.15 A g⁻¹) and a much higher turn-over frequency (TOF) value (0.032 s⁻¹) at an overpotential of 300 mV. These observations confirm analogous ones already reported in the literature pertaining to the potential of molecular cobalt–seleno systems as efficient OER electrocatalysts.     

Flower-like NiCo2S4/NiFeP/NF composite material as an effective electrocatalyst with high overall water splitting performance

Rational design and building of high efficiency, secure and inexpensive electrocatalyst is a pressing demand and performance to promote sustainable improvement of hydrogen energy. The bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution response (HER) with high catalytic performance and steadiness in the equal electrolyte are extra treasured and meaningful. Herein, a unique three-dimensional (3D) structure electrocatalyst for NiCo₂S₄ growing on the flower-like NiFeP was designed and synthesized in this study. The results show that the flower-like NiCo₂S₄/NiFeP/NF composite electrocatalyst has large specific surface area, appropriate electrical conductivity, and greater lively websites uncovered in the three-dimensional structure, and affords extraordinary electrocatalytic overall performance for the ordinary water splitting. In alkaline solution, the OER and HER overpotentials of NiCo₂S₄/NiFeP/NF only need 293 mV and 205 mV overpotential to provide the current densities of 100 mA/cm² and 50 mA/cm², respectively. This high electrocatalytic activity exceeds the catalytic activity of most nickel-iron based electrocatalysts for OER and HER process. Accordingly, the optimized NiCo₂S₄/NiFeP/NF sample has higher stability (24 h) at 1.560 and 10 mA/cm², which extensively speeds up the overall water splitting process. In view of the above performance, this work offers a fine approach for the further improvement of low fee and excessive effectivity electrocatalyst.     

High‐Performance Electrolytic Oxygen Evolution in Neutral Media Catalyzed by a Cobalt Phosphate Nanoarray

The topotactic conversion of cobalt phosphide nanoarray on Ti mesh into a cobalt phosphate nanoarray (Co‐Pi NA) via oxidative polarization in phosphate‐buffered water is presented. As a 3D oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst electrode at neutral pH, the resulting Co‐Pi NA/Ti shows exceptionally high catalytic activity and demands an overpotential of only 450 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 10 mA cm⁻². Notably, this catalyst also shows superior long‐term electrochemical stability. The excellent catalytic activity can be attributed to that such 3D nanoarray configuration allows for the exposure of more active sites and the easier diffusion of electrolytes and oxygen.     

Sulfur and oxygen dual vacancies manipulation on 2D NiS2/CeO2 hybrid heterostructure to boost overall water splitting activity

It is still an enormous challenge to develop non-precious electrocatalysts through low-cost and efficient methods. To fulfill highly active site exposure and optimized intrinsic activity, the 2-dimensional NiS₂/CeO₂ with unique heterostructure and abundant sulfur and oxygen vacancies (v-NiS₂/CeO₂ HS) was prepared by solvothermal reaction and annealing. The density functional theory calculations illustrate that the materials with both heterostructure and vacancies simultaneously have a positive effect on promoting the kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction and optimizing the adsorption energy of hydrogen. As a result, v-NiS₂/CeO₂ HSs deliver the current density of 10 mA/cm² at the low overpotential of 271 mV for oxygen evolution reaction and the overpotential required by v-NiS₂/CeO₂ HSs for hydrogen evolution reaction is 123 mV (at 10 mA/cm²). The v-NiS₂/CeO₂ HSs demand a lower cell voltage with 1.64 V (at 10 mA/cm²) toward overall water splitting. These results provide a theoretical and practical direction for the development of low-cost, earth-abundant electrocatalysts.     

多孔Ni、Ni-Mo合金及其氧化物的制备与析氢性能

采用快速凝固结合脱合金化的方法制备了纳米多孔Ni、Ni-Mo合金及其氧化物电极材料,通过XRD、SEM、TEM、BET等对电极的物相、形貌结构、孔径分布进行表征,通过线性扫描伏安法、Tafel斜率和计时电位等方法测试多孔电极的电催化析氢性能。结果显示,制备的电极材料在10 mA·cm-2电流密度下Ni-Mo合金析氢活性最强,析氢过程由Volmer-Heyrovsky步骤控制,其表观交换电流密度为0.25 mA·cm-2,经10 000 s恒电流密度(100 mA·cm-2)电解后析氢过电位(η)仅增加39 mV,表现出优良的析氢稳定性。Ni-Mo合金电极比表面积的提高和本征催化活性的改善使其获得了更低的析氢过电位。