Structure-Performance Relationships of Nanocomposites in Electrocatalysis

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 April 2022) | Viewed by 4248

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Interests: electrocatalysis; functional materials; structure-performance relationship; fuel cells; metal–air batteries

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Interests: lithium-ion batteries; lithium metal batteries; battery interface engineering
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrocatalysis has had unique growth in the last forty years and is attracting the attention of chemists as well as engineers, due to the application of new hybrid techniques, including energy conversion devices (e.g., fuel cells, metal–air batteries, electrolyser, solar cells), sensors, electro-organic synthesis, and so forth. A high-performance electrocatalyst is necessary to make the electrocatalytic reaction meet real technical applications. Given the exceptional physicochemical and electronic properties, nanocomposite materials are arising as some of the most proficient electrocatalysts for providing more active sites, reducing energy barriers, and promoting the electron transfer of electrocatalytic reactions based on the synergistic effects of components. However, the structure–performance relationships (typically such as the degradation of Pt/C in fuel cells, crystallographic orientations dependent on selectivity in electrochemical CO2 reduction) cannot be understood yet. Hence, correlating structure–performance relationships of nanocomposites in electrocatalysis is crucial for designing electrocatalysts with high activity, selectivity, and durability in the real application of new hybrid techniques.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a research forum to exchange the latest advances in nanocomposites as electrocatalysts in technological electrochemical reactions of organic electrosynthesis, galvanoplasty, sensors, fuel cells and batteries, and explore the potentials of nanocomposites for electrocatalysis future. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: i) Construction approaches and fabrication techniques of nanocomposites; ii) Hybrid characterization techniques for nanocomposites and electrochemical reactions; iii) New theoretical considerations on nanocomposites for electrocatalysis; iv) Structure–performance relationships of nanocomposites for electrocatalysis; v) New applications of nanocomposites in electrocatalysis.

Prof. Dr. Dongsheng Geng
Prof. Dr. Xiangbo Meng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Nanocomponents
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Synergistic effects
  • Structure–performance relationship
  • Fuel cells
  • Electrolyser
  • Electrochemical CO2 reduction
  • Metal–air batteries
  • Electrochemical sensors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 12625 KiB  
Article
Facile Green Synthesis of α-Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles: Its Photocatalytic and Electrochemical Sensing of Glucose and Uric Acid in an Acidic Medium
by Mir Waqas Alam, Nassiba Allag, Maisari Utami, Mir Waheed-Ur-Rehman, Mohd Al Saleh Al-Othoum and Shima Sadaf
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8020047 - 26 Jan 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2563
Abstract
The nanocrystalline bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) was produced utilizing a green combustion process with Mexican Mint gel as the fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) method proved the nanocrystalline nature and Bi2O3 nanoparticles (BONPs) in α phase [...] Read more.
The nanocrystalline bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) was produced utilizing a green combustion process with Mexican Mint gel as the fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) method proved the nanocrystalline nature and Bi2O3 nanoparticles (BONPs) in α phase and the average crystalline size of BONPs nanoparticles has been found to be 60 nm. The spherical-shaped structure with bright dot-like spots in the center of the selected area diffraction (SAED) is confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) in conjunction with the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) demonstrating the crystalline behavior of green NPs. The Kubelka-Monk function was used to analyze diffuse reflectance spectra, and the results revealed that BONPs have a band gap of 3.07 eV. When utilized to evaluate the photocatalytic capabilities of NPs, the direct green (DG) and fast orange red (F-OR) dyes were found to be activated at 618 and 503 nm, respectively. After 120 min of exposure to UV radiation, the DG and F-OR dyes’ photodegradation rate reduced its hue by up to 88.2% and 94%, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance techniques in 0.1 N HCl were used to efficiently analyze the electrochemical behavior of the produced BONPs. A carbon paste electrode that had been enhanced with BONPs was used to detect the glucose and uric acid in a 0.1 N HCl solution. The results of the cyclic voltammetry point to the excellent electrochemical qualities of BONPs. Bi2O3 electrode material was found to have a proton diffusion coefficient of 1.039 × 10−5 cm2s−1. BONP exhibits significant potential as an electrode material for sensing chemicals like glucose and uric acid, according to the electrochemical behavior. Full article
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12 pages, 2399 KiB  
Article
CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS Nanocomposite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
by Valerii K. Kochergin, Alexander S. Kotkin, Roman A. Manzhos, Alexander G. Krivenko, Igor I. Khodos and Eugene N. Kabachkov
J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7(8), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7080328 - 13 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1275
Abstract
The search for new hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts with lower cost and higher activity and stability than noble metal catalysts is essential. In this regard cobalt phosphide is considered one of the most promising nanomaterials. The present work proposes a simple and [...] Read more.
The search for new hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts with lower cost and higher activity and stability than noble metal catalysts is essential. In this regard cobalt phosphide is considered one of the most promising nanomaterials. The present work proposes a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of a nanocomposite of graphene–phosphorene structures decorated with CoP nanoparticles 2–5 nm in size via the electrochemical exfoliation of black phosphorus carried out in the presence of nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene structures and followed by solvothermal synthesis in a Co2+-containing solution. The obtained CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS nanocomposite demonstrates high electrocatalytic activity and stability towards HER in an alkaline medium. The nanocomposite is characterized by an overpotential of 190 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 as well as a small Tafel slope (78 mV dec−1). These characteristics make the CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS nanocomposite superior to most electrocatalysts based on cobalt phosphides. The results of this study could be in demand for the future design and improvement of HER electrocatalysts. Full article
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