Promotion of PtIr and Pt catalytic activity towards ammonia electrooxidation through the modification of Zn

Zn is introduced into Pt and PtIr electrodes by applying potential cycles to their corresponding polycrystalline microdisc electrodes in a ZnCl₂-containing ionic liquid bath. Scanning-electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis studies show that nanostructured PtIrZn and PtZn layers created on the microdisc electrodes contain approximately 5 wt% Zn. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal that PtZn and PtIrZn are significantly more active towards electrochemical ammonia oxidation in alkaline media than virgin Pt and PtIr electrodes. The PtIrZn electrode demonstrates a low onset potential of 0.30 V vs RHE and a high exchange current density of 4.3 × 10^− 8 A cm^− 2, which is favorably comparable to state-of-the-art electrocatalyts for the same reaction. The catalytic activity promotion by the Zn modification may be related to the inhibition of the hydrogen electrochemistry. PtIrZn appears therefore to be a very promising anode catalyst for direct ammonia fuel cells and ammonia electrolysis.     

Needle-like IrO/Ag combined pH microelectrode

In this study, a combined pH microelectrode has been developed consisting of an indicator electrode made of IrO₂ prepared using the polymeric precursor method and deposited in a platinum microwire. This electrode was mounted inside a stainless steel needle, the external surface of which was painted with conductive silver ink which is used as reference electrode. This device was compared with a conventional glass electrode, and the results presented linear behavior in the pH range from 2.0 to 12.5, in Na⁺ and K⁺ solutions, exceeding glass electrodes in the alkaline range. The sensitivity was 56.9 ± 0.2 mV pH^? 1 and using ANOVA test we conclude that the electrode is not sensitive to the presence of alkaline cations such as Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺. Finally, the response time (t₉₅) was 4.9 to 9.0 s depending on the solution pH. The combined pH microelectrode can be used several times and, after three years, continues to have a response similar to that of a freshly produced one.     

NiSe2 nanoparticles embedded in CNT networks: Scalable synthesis and superior electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction

For the first time, NiSe₂ nanoparticles embedded in CNT networks have been synthesized via spray-drying followed by a selenization process. The NiSe₂/CNTs hybrid (NCH) delivers superior electrocatalytic performance for HER. It has a low onset potential of ~ 159 mV and a cathode current density of 35.6 mA cm^− 2 at − 250 mV vs RHE; more importantly, the Tafel slope has a very low value of 29 mV dec^− 1, which is comparable to a platinum (Pt) catalyst; in addition, it is stable even after 1000 cycles. The superior HER performance of NCH is attributed to its unique structure, which is composed of ultrathin NiSe₂ nanoparticles homogenously embedded in highly conductive and porous CNT networks. This not only provides abundant HER active sites, but also guarantees robust contact between the NiSe₂ nanoparticles and the CNT networks. The present study provides new insights into the large-scale and low-cost synthesis of a highly effective and stable NiSe₂-based electrocatalyst which could be extended to large-scale production of other non-precious metal hybrid catalysts with low cost, high efficiency and excellent stability.     

Sol–gel fabrication of lithium-ion microarray battery

Microarray electrodes of LiMn₂O₄ and Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ were prepared on a glass substrate using a sol–gel method. The prepared LiMn₂O₄ and Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ microarray electrodes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Using a polymer-gel electrolyte, lithium ion microbattery of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄/polymer-gel/LiMn₂O₄ (cell area: 6.6 × 10⁻² cm²) was successfully constructed. The microbattery operated reversibly at 2.5 V, and the discharge capacity was 300 nA h, which corresponded to an energy density of 11 μW h cm⁻².     

Oxygen reduction behavior of RuO2/Ti,IrO2/Ti and IrM (M: Ru,Mo, W,V) Ox/Ti binary oxide electrodes in a sulfuric acid solution

Some oxide catalysts, such as RuO₂/Ti, IrO₂/Ti and IrM(M: Ru, Mo, W, V)O_x/Ti binary oxide electrodes, were prepared by using a dip-coating method on a Ti substrate. Their catalytic behavior for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ at 60 °C. These catalysts were found to exhibit considerably high activity, and the most active one among them was Ir_0.6V_0.4O₂/Ti prepared at 450 °C, showing onset potential for the ORR at about 0.86 V–0.90 (vs RHE).     

Determination of formal potential of NADH/NAD+ redox couple and catalytic oxidation of NADH using poly(phenosafranin)-modified carbon electrodes

The electrochemical regeneration of NADH/NAD⁺ redox couple has been studied using poly(phenosafranin) (PPS)-modified carbon electrodes to evaluate the formal potential and catalytic rate constant for the oxidation of NADH. The PPS-modified electrodes were prepared by electropolymerization of phenosafranin onto different carbon substrates (glassy carbon (GC) and basal-plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG)) in different electrolytic solutions. The formal potential was estimated to be ? 0.365 ± 0.002 V vs. SHE at pH 7.0. As for the bare carbon electrodes, the oxidation of NADH at the BPPG electrode was found to be enhanced compared with the GC electrode. For the PPS-modified electrodes, it was found that the electrocatalysis of PPS-modified electrodes for the oxidation of NADH largely depends on the carbon substrate and electrolyte solution employed for their preparation, i.e., the PPS-modified BPPG electrode prepared in 0.2 M NaClO₄/acetonitrile solution exhibits an excellent and persistent electrocatalytic property toward NADH oxidation in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with a diminution of the overpotential of about 740 and 670 mV compared with those at the bare GC electrode and the PPS-modified GC electrode prepared in 0.2 M H₂SO₄ solution, respectively. A quantitative analysis of the electrocatalytic reaction based on rotating disk voltammetry gave the electrocatalytic reaction rate constants of the order of 10³–10⁴ M^?1 s^? 1 depending on the preparation conditions of the PPS-modified electrodes.     

Li2SO4-polyacrylamide polymer electrolytes for 2.0 V solid symmetric supercapacitors

A neutral polymer electrolyte comprised of lithium sulfate (Li₂SO₄) and polyacrylamide (PAM) was developed. The Li₂SO₄-PAM electrolyte film shows an ionic conductivity up to 10 mS cm^− 1 in 45%RH conditions. Solid double layer capacitors were demonstrated using CNT-graphite electrodes and Li₂SO₄-PAM solid electrolytes. The voltage window of the solid cell was about 2.0 V, identical to that of a Li₂SO₄ liquid cell used as baseline. The demonstrated voltage window is significantly larger than that reported for proton- or hydroxyl-conducting electrolytes, suggesting that the Li₂SO₄-PAM electrolyte is a promising system for high energy density supercapacitors. The solid device also demonstrated excellent rate capability (up to 5 V s^− 1) and good cycle life (beyond 10,000 charge/discharge cycles).     

A binder-free thin film anode composed of Co2 +-intercalated buserite grown on carbon cloth for oxygen evolution reaction

We present a binder-free catalytic anode for highly efficient and stable oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media. The catalyst consists of a thin film of buserite-type layered manganese dioxide (MnO₂) intercalated with Co^2 + ions, resulting from electrodeposition of the layered MnO₂ film with tetrabutylammonium (Bu₄N⁺) ions on a carbon cloth, followed by ion-exchange of the initially incorporated Bu₄N⁺ with Co^2 + in solution. The electrode is capable to produce a current density of 10 mA cm^− 2 at an overpotential (η) of 377 mV with a Tafel slope of 48 mV dec^− 1, much superior to the layered MnO₂ without Co^2 +.     

Novel nano-structured Pd+yttrium doped ZrO2 cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Novel nano-structured Pd+yttrium doped ZrO₂ (YSZ) electrodes have been developed as cathodes of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Nano-sized Pd particles were introduced into the rigid and porous YSZ structure by PdCl₂ solution impregnation. The results show that Pd nanoparticles (20–80 nm) were uniformly distributed in the porous YSZ structure; and such nano-structured composite cathodes were highly active for the O₂ reduction reaction, with polarization resistances (R_E) of 0.11 and 0.22 Ω cm² at 750 and 700 °C and activation energy of 105 kJ mol⁻¹ that is significantly lower than those for the conventional perovskite-based cathodes (130–201 kJ mol⁻¹).     

Electrochemical properties of Li symmetric solid-state cell with NASICON-type solid electrolyte and electrodes

All-solid-state phosphate symmetric cells using Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ for both the positive and negative electrodes with the phosphate Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ as the solid electrolyte were proposed. Amorphous Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ was added into the electrode to increase the interface area between the active materials and the electrolyte. Any other phases were not formed at the electrode/electrolyte interface even after hot pressing at 600 °C. The discharge capacity was 92 mAh g^? 1 at 22 µA cm^? 2 at 80 °C, and 38 mAh g^? 1 at 25 °C, respectively. Symmetric cell configuration leads to simplify the fabrication process for all-solid-state batteries and will reduce manufacturing costs.     

Electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles at a solid|ionic liquid|aqueous electrolyte three-phase junction

Gold nanoparticles have been electrodeposited on an electrode through electrogeneration at an ITO|AuCl₄^? solution in an ionic liquid|aqueous electrolyte three-phase junction. The electrodeposition was carried out by inverted double-pulse potential chronoamperometry. The direct reduction of AuCl₄^? ions at the electrode is followed by a counterion transfer through the liquid|liquid interface. Contrary to the electrodeposition from a single ionic liquid phase, scanning electron microscopy reveals that the shape of the resulting nanoparticles is highly angular and well-developed with a diameter of 110 ± 30 nm. Catalytic oxidation of glucose on the modified electrode is demonstrated.     

Cathodic carboxylation of gold in thick {Au-CO2}n layers. A model for reversible electrochemical sequestration of CO2

Catalytic reduction of CO₂ (saturated in organic polar solvents, e.g. N,N-dimethylfomamide, containing Me₄NX or NaBF₄) was achieved at smooth gold electrodes and at glassy carbon electrodes galvanostatically capped with a thin layer of gold. Under these quite explicit conditions, very sharp reduction steps were observed near − 1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl. With small cations listed above, an unexpected behavior was observed, a progressive electrode inhibition occurring upon several scans or after a fixed-potential electrolysis at E < − 1.7 V. This phenomenon could be attributed to the insertion of CO₂ into gold, leading to the formation of a thick iono-metallic multi-strata layer (less conducting than pure metal) that grows with the electrode charge. The formation of this new interface is due to the concur of three elements: transient CO₂ anion radical, the metal, and rather small-sized cations (M⁺ = Na⁺ or TMA⁺), the three possibly associated in a form {Au-CO₂⁻,M⁺} apparently very reactive with oxygen, moisture, and with some organic π-acceptors. Upon multi-scans up to − 2.2 V, the thickness of formed layer progressively increases reaching more than 10^− 7 to 10^− 6 mol cm^− 2. Such multi-layers undergo decomposition in the anodic domain at about + 1.7 V liberating CO₂ beforehand trapped in Au. Coulometric analyses demonstrated that insertion (cathodic) and release (anodic) steps are quite equivalent, which permits to consider this process as chemically reversible sequestration of carbon dioxide.     

High performance solid oxide electrolysis cell with impregnated electrodes

Here we report a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) employing impregnated electrodes. The cell structure consisted of a porous 430 L metal support, a Ni-Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_2 − δ (SDC) impregnated 430 L-zirconia stabilized zirconia (YSZ) hydrogen electrode, a scandia stabilized zirconia (SSZ) electrolyte and a Nd₂O₃-Nd₂NiO_4 + δ (Nd₂O₃-NNO) impregnated SSZ oxygen electrode. The cell is prepared by tape casting, co-firing and impregnation techniques. At an applied voltage of 1.3 V and 50% steam content, current density of 2.05 A cm^− 2 is obtained at 800 °C. The effect of the variation of H₂O/H₂ ratio (3/97 to 70/30) on electrolysis performance at 750 °C is evaluated and the long-term stability in electrolysis mode is also investigated.     

Dependence of enthalpic pairwise self-interactions on ionic strength: Some 2-deoxy and N-acetyl monosaccharides in aqueous NaCl solutions at T = 298.15 K

The dilution enthalpies of four derivatives of monosaccharides, namely 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DGlu), N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GluNAc), 2-deoxy-d-galactose (2-DGal) and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc), in aqueous NaCl solutions of various molalities (b = 0–3.0 mol · kg⁻¹) have been determined respectively at T = 298.15 K by isothermal titration calorimetry (MicroCal ITC200). The corresponding values of enthalpic pairwise self-interaction coefficients (h₂) have been calculated according to the McMillan–Mayer theory. It was found that across the range studied of ionic strength (I) or molality (b = I), the h₂ coefficients are all positive, in the order h₂ (GluNAc) > h₂ (GalNAc) > h₂ (2-DGlu) > h₂ (2-DGal), and decrease gradually after increasing first up to a maximum at b ≈ 1.5 mol · kg⁻¹. The effects of ionic strength (I) on the trends of h₂ have been discussed from the point of view of complex (solute + solute) and (solute + solvent) interactions in solutions.     

Influence of temperature on the charging/discharging process of IrO2 coating deposited on p-Si substrate

The influence of temperature on the charging/discharging process of the IrO₂ coating deposited on p-Si has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The measured apparent activation energy (E_a) depends strongly on the used scan rate in the cyclic voltammetry measurements. In fact at low scan rates (5 mV/s), E_a for the charging/discharging process has a value of about 2.4 kJ/mol; this is related to a slow process due to diffusion of protons within the IrO₂ coating. At high scan rates (500 mV/s), E_a reaches a value close to zero. This has been attributed to the double layer capacitance, which is an instantaneous electrostatic process.     

Improving the cycleability of Si anodes by covalently grafting with 4-carboxyphenyl groups

In this study, the lithium storage capacity of Si nanoparticles is significantly enhanced by grafting with 4-carboxyphenyl groups via diazonium salts. The modified Si anodes exhibit reversible capacities of 1173 and 527 mA h g^?1 at the 1st and 50th cycle, while those of the bare Si electrodes are only 56 and 62 mA h g^?1, respectively. The improved electrochemical performance is supposed to arise from the formation of a robust and flexible solid electrolyte interface on the surfaces of the modified Si nanoparticles.     

Electrochemical properties of Li(Li(1−x)/3CoxMn(2−2x)/3)O2 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) solid solutions prepared by poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) method

The whole range of solid solutions Li(Li_(1−x)/3Co_xMn_(2−2x)/3)O₂ (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) was firstly synthesized by an aqueous solution method using poly-vinyl alcohol as a synthetic agent to investigate their structure and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the synthesized solid solutions showed a single phase without any detectable impurity phase and have a hexagonal structure with some additional peaks caused by monoclinic distortion, especially in the solid solutions with a low Co amount. In the electrochemical examination, the solid solutions in the range between 0.2 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.9 showed higher discharge capacity and better cyclability than LiCoO₂ (x = 1) on cycling between 2.0 and 4.6 V with 100 mA g⁻¹ at 25 °C. For example, Li(Li_0.2Co_0.4Mn_0.4)O₂ (x = 0.4) exhibited a high discharge capacity of 180 mA h g⁻¹ at the 50th cycle. By synthesizing the solid solution between Li₂MnO₃ and LiCoO₂, the electrochemical properties of the end members were improved.     

Determination of thermodynamic properties of Na2S using solid-state EMF measurements

To obtain reliable thermodynamic data for Na₂S(s), solid-state EMF measurements of the cell Pd(s)|O₂(g)|Na₂S(s), Na₂SO₄(s)|YSZ| Fe(s), FeO(s)|O₂(g)_ref| Pd(s) were carried out in the temperature range 870 < T/K < 1000 with yttria stabilized zirconia as the solid electrolyte. The measured EMF values were fitted according to the equation E_fit/V (±0.00047) = 0.63650 − 0.00584732(T/K) + 0.00073190(T/K) ln (T/K). From the experimental results and the available literature data on Na₂SO₄(s), the equilibrium constant of formation for Na₂S(s) was determined to be lg K_f(Na₂S(s)) (±0.05) = 216.28 − 4750(T/K)⁻¹ − 28.28878 ln (T/K). Gibbs energy of formation for Na₂S(s) was obtained as Δ_fG^∘(Na₂S(s))/(kJ · mol⁻¹) (±1.0) = 90.9 − 4.1407(T/K) + 0.5415849(T/K) ln (T/K). By applying third law analysis of the experimental data, the standard enthalpy of formation of Na₂S(s) was evaluated to be Δ_fH^∘(Na₂S(s), 298.15 K)/(kJ · mol⁻¹) (±1.0) = −369.0. Using the literature data for C_p and the calculated Δ_fH^∘, the standard entropy was evaluated to S^∘(Na₂S(s), 298.15 K)/(J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹) (±2.0) = 97.0.     

A strategy of tailoring stable electrolyte material for high performance proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)

A facile strategy was proposed to synthesize Nb-containing BaCeO₃-based material, which is a potential electrolyte for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), via a wet chemical route while the conventional synthesis of Nb-containing oxides relied on the solid state reaction method due to the unavailability of suitable Nb-precursors such as Nb-nitrates resulting in a less desirable fuel cell performance when used as an electrolyte. The BaCe_0.7Nb_0.1Y_0.2O_3 − δ (BCNY) electrolyte material in this study persisted a good chemical stability against CO₂ and exhibited good performance in the fuel cell application. The fuel cell with BCNY electrolyte film showed a high performance of 533 mW cm^− 2 at 700 °C. This cell performance based on BCNY electrolyte was superior to that of many stable modified BaCeO₃-based proton-conducting SOFCs where the electrolytes were tailored by other strategies. This result indicated that the strategy presented in this study could be an effective way to prepare a stable electrolyte for high performance proton-conducting SOFCs, which could advance the development of proton-conducting SOFCs.     

Low temperature heat capacity of bulk and nanophase ZnO and Zn1−xCoxO wurtzite phases

The low temperature heat capacity of the ZnO–CoO solid solution system was measured from 2 to 300 K using the heat capacity option of a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). The thermodynamic functions in this temperature range were derived by curve fitting. The standard entropies of bulk ZnO and bulk ZnO–CoO (wurtzite, 18 mol% CoO) at T = 298.15 K were calculated to be (43.1 ± 0.4) J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹ and (45.2 ± 0.5) J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹, respectively. The surface entropy of ZnO was evaluated to be (0.02 ± 0.01) mJ · K⁻¹ · m⁻², which is essentially zero. No sharp magnetic transitions were observed in the solid solution samples. The nanophase solid solution, 12 mol% CoO, appears to bind H₂O on its surface more strongly than ZnO.