Nanoscopic Porous Iridium/Iridium Dioxide Superstructures (15 nm): Synthesis and Thermal Conversion by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Porous particle superstructures of about 15 nm diameter, consisting of ultrasmall nanoparticles of iridium and iridium dioxide, are prepared through the reduction of sodium hexachloridoiridate(+IV) with sodium citrate/sodium borohydride in water. The water-dispersible porous particles contain about 20 wt % poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), which was added for colloidal stabilization. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the presence of both iridium and iridium dioxide primary particles (1–2 nm) in each porous superstructure. The internal porosity (≈58 vol%) is demonstrated by electron tomography. In situ transmission electron microscopy up to 1000 °C under oxygen, nitrogen, argon/hydrogen (all at 1 bar), and vacuum shows that the porous particles undergo sintering and subsequent compaction upon heating, a process that starts at around 250 °C and is completed at around 800 °C. Finally, well-crystalline iridium dioxide is obtained under all four environments. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared porous superstructures in electrochemical water splitting (oxygen evolution reaction; OER) is reduced considerably upon heating owing to sintering of the pores and loss of internal surface area.     

The Facile Deposition of Pt Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphite Oxide in Tunable Aryl Alkyl Ionic Liquids for ORR Catalysts

In this study, we present the facile formation of platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) on reduced graphite oxide (rGO) (Pt-NP@rGO) by microwave-induced heating of the organometallic precursor ((MeCp)PtMe₃ in different tunable aryl alkyl ionic liquids (TAAIL). In the absence of rGO, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the formation of dense aggregates of Pt-NPs, with primary particle sizes of 2 to 6 nm. In contrast, in the Pt-NP@rGO samples, Pt-NPs are homogeneously distributed on the rGO, without any aggregation. Pt-NP@rGO samples are used as electrode materials for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which was assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and mass-specific activity (MA) increase up to twofold, compared with standard Pt/C 60%, making Pt-NP@rGO a competitive material for ORR.     

Increasing durability of Pt-surface-enriched nanosize structure catalysts by multi-step platinum deposition

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The sluggish reaction of oxygen reduction in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and the durability of platinum-based catalysts have been major...     

Nickel-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)

The exploration of earth-abundant electrocatalysts with high performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is eminently desirable and remains a significant challenge. The composite of the metal-organic framework (MOF) Ni₁₀Co-BTC (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) and the highly conductive carbon material ketjenblack (KB) could be easily obtained from the MOF synthesis in the presence of KB in a one-step solvothermal reaction. The composite and the pristine MOF perform better than commercially available Ni/NiO nanoparticles under the same conditions for the OER. Activation of the nickel-cobalt clusters from the MOF can be seen under the applied anodic potential, which steadily boosts the OER performance. Ni₁₀Co-BTC and Ni₁₀Co-BTC/KB are used as sacrificial agents and undergo structural changes during electrochemical measurements, the stabilized materials show good OER performances.     

Morphological,Structural, and Compositional Evolution of Pt–Ni Octahedral Electrocatalysts with Pt‐Rich Edges and Ni‐Rich Core: Toward the Rational Design of Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The progress in colloidal synthesis of Pt–Ni octahedra has been instrumental in rising the oxygen reduction reaction catalytic activity high above the benchmark of Pt catalysts. This impressive catalytic performance is believed to result from the exposure of the most active catalytic sites after an activation process, chemical or electrochemical, which leads to a Pt surface enrichment. A foremost importance is to understand the structure and the elemental distribution of Pt–Ni octahedral, which leads to an optimal catalytic activity and stability. However, the factors governing the synthesis of the Pt–Ni octahedra are not well understood. In this study, unprecedented surface atomic segregation of Pt atoms in a Ni‐rich Pt–Ni octahedral nanoparticle structure is established by advanced electron microscopy. The Pt atoms are almost exclusively located on the edges of the Pt–Ni octahedra. This structure is formed in a pristine form, i.e., prior to any chemical or electrochemical etching. A new growth mechanism is revealed, which involves the transformation from an octahedron with a Pt‐rich core to a Ni‐rich octahedron with Pt‐rich edges. This observation may pave the way for a deeper understanding of this class of Pt–Ni octahedral nanoparticles as an electrocatalyst.