Materials 2016, 9(12), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9121012
Preparation of TiO2-Decorated Boron Particles by Wet Ball Milling and their Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
2
Department of Chemistry, Yeugnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea
3
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do 21071, Korea
4
The Fourth R&D Institute, Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon 34188, Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Christof Schneider
Received: 1 October 2016 / Revised: 19 November 2016 / Accepted: 7 December 2016 / Published: 14 December 2016
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Materials)
Abstract
TiO2-coated boron particles were prepared by a wet ball milling method, with the particle size distribution and average particle size being easily controlled by varying the milling operation time. Based on the results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, it was confirmed that the initial oxide layer on the boron particles surface was removed by the wet milling process, and that a new B–O–Ti bond was formed on the boron surface. The uniform TiO2 layer on the 150 nm boron particles was estimated to be 10 nm thick. Based on linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, current-time amperometry, and electrochemical impedance analyses, the potential for the application of TiO2-coated boron particles as a photoelectrochemical catalyst was demonstrated. A current of 250 μA was obtained at a potential of 0.5 V for hydrogen evolution, with an onset potential near to 0.0 V. Finally, a current of 220 μA was obtained at a potential of 1.0 V for oxygen evolution. View Full-TextKeywords:
boron particle; wet ball milling; TiO2 coating; photoelectrochemical; hydrogen evolution; oxygen evolution
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Jung, H.J.; Nam, K.; Sung, H.-G.; Hyun, H.S.; Sohn, Y.; Shin, W.G. Preparation of TiO2-Decorated Boron Particles by Wet Ball Milling and their Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions. Materials 2016, 9, 1012.
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