Search Results (87)

In this investigation, a hierarchical FeCo-layered double hydroxide (FeCo-LDH) electrochemical membrane material was prepared by a simple in situ hydrothermal method. The prepared material formed a 3D honeycomb-structured FeCo-LDH-modified carbon felt (FeCo-LDH/CF) catalytic layer with uniform open pores on a CF substrate with excellent catalytic activity and was served as the cathode in a flow-through electro-Fenton (FTEF) reactor. The electrocatalyst demonstrated excellent treatment performance (99%) in phenol simulated wastewater (30 mg L⁻¹) under the optimized operating conditions (applied voltage = 3.5 V, pH = 6, influent flow rate = 15 mL min⁻¹) of the FTEF system. The high removal rate could be attributed to (i) the excellent electrocatalytic oxidation performance and low interfacial charge transfer resistance of the FeCo-LDH/CF electrode as the cathode, (ii) the ability of the synthesized FeCo-LDH to effectively promote the conversion of H₂O₂ to •OH under certain conditions, and (iii) the flow-through system improving the mass transfer efficiency. In addition, the degradation process of pollutants within the FTEF system was additionally illustrated by the •OH dominant ROS pathway based on free radical burst experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance tests. This study may provide new insights to explore reaction mechanisms in FTEF systems. Full article

Although membrane technology has been widely applied in water treatment, membrane fouling is an inevitable issue that has largely limited its application. Benefiting from the advantages of green power, easy integration and low chemical consumption, electrocatalytic membrane (ECM) technology received attention, using it to enable electrically driven self-cleaning performance recently, making it highly desirable for sustainable fouling control. In this work, we comprehensively summarized the conventional (e.g., carbonaceous materials, metal and metal oxide) and emerging (e.g., metal–organic framework and MXene) materials for the fabrication of an ECM. Then the fabrication methods and operating modes of an ECM were emphasized. Afterwards, the application of different ECM materials in membrane fouling control was highlighted and the corresponding mechanism was revealed. Based on existing research findings, we proposed the challenges and future prospects of ECM materials for practical application. This study provides enlightening knowledge into the development of ECM materials for sustainable fouling control. Full article

The necessity for efficient water treatment methods has led the research community to turn to hybrid technologies that combine individual advantages optimally for a greater final result. Membranes are vital to water purification technologies due to their natural barrier and filtration capabilities. On the other hand, green catalytic technologies such as photocatalysis and electrocatalysis have attracted increased attention for water purification applications due to a multitude of advantages. Therefore, the combination of catalytic and membrane technologies is the natural next step. This review focuses on several aspects of this hybrid technology: several promising materials are presented, the fabrication methods and challenges for the successful integration of the two technologies are examined, and the mechanisms for micropollutant removal are detailed. Finally, future perspectives are offered concerning these hybrid technologies. This review aims to shed light on this promising trend of membrane-based photocatalytic/electrocatalytic systems and their potential for efficient water treatment. Full article

The electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of biomass-derived phenolic compounds is a promising approach to the production of value-added chemicals and biofuels in a sustainable way under moderate reaction conditions. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of electrochemical and thermochemical hydrogenation processes, highlighting their relative advantages in terms of energy efficiency, product selectivity, and environmental impact. Several electrocatalysts (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru), membranes (Nafion, Fumasep, GO-based PEMs), and reactor configurations are tested for the selective conversion of model compounds such as phenol, guaiacol, furfural, and levulinic acid. The contributions made by the electrode material, electrolyte composition, membrane nature, and reaction conditions are critically evaluated in relation to Faradaic efficiency, conversion rates, and product selectivity. The enhancement in the performance achieved by a new catalyst architecture is emphasized, such as MOF-based systems and bimetallic/trimetallic catalysts. In addition, a demonstration of graphite-based membranes and membrane-separated slurry reactors (SSERs) is provided, for enhanced ion transport and reaction control. The results illustrate the potential of using ECH as a low-carbon, scalable, and tunable method for the upgrading of biomass. This study offers valuable insights and guidelines for the rational design of next-generation electrocatalytic systems toward green chemical synthesis and emphasizes promising perspectives for the strategic development of electrochemical technologies in the pathway of a sustainable energy economy. Full article

The growing demand for energy, coupled with the unsustainable nature of fossil fuels due to global warming and the greenhouse effect, have led to the advancement of renewable energy production concepts. Innovations such as photovoltaics, wind energy, and infrared energy harvesters are emerging as viable solutions. The challenge lies in the stochastic nature of renewable energy sources, which necessitates the implementation of electrical energy storage solutions, whether through batteries, supercapacitors, or hydrogen production. In this regard, innovative materials are essential to address the questions associated with these technologies. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crucial for achieving clean and efficient energy conversion in fuel cells and storage in batteries and supercapacitors. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be used as electrocatalytic materials, membranes for electrolytes, and energy storage materials. They exhibit exceptional design versatility, large surface, and can be functionalized with ligands with several charges and metallic centers. This article offers an in-depth examination of materials and devices utilizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for electrochemical processes concerning the generation, transformation, and storage of electrical energy. This review specifically focuses on rechargeable batteries and fuel cells that incorporate MOFs. Finally, an outlook on the potential applications of MOFs in electrochemical industries is presented. Full article

Drug resistance remains a major barrier to effective cancer treatment, contributing to poor patient outcomes. Multifunctional biomaterials integrating electrical and catalytic properties offer a transformative strategy to target diverse resistance mechanisms. This review explores their ability to modulate cellular processes, remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), and enhance drug delivery. Electrically active biomaterials enhance drug uptake and apoptotic sensitivity by altering membrane potentials, ion channels, and intracellular signaling, synergizing with chemotherapy. Catalytic biomaterials generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), activate prodrugs, reprogram hypoxic and acidic TME, and degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) to improve drug penetration. Hybrid nanomaterials (e.g., conductive hydrogels, electrocatalytic nanoparticles), synergize electrical and catalytic properties for localized, stimuli-responsive therapy and targeted drug release, minimizing systemic toxicity. Despite challenges in biocompatibility and scalability, future integration with immunotherapy, personalized medicine, and intelligent self-adaptive systems capable of real-time tumor response promises to accelerate clinical translation. The development of these adaptive biomaterials, alongside advancements in nanotechnology and AI-driven platforms, represents the next frontier in precision oncology. This review highlights the potential of multifunctional biomaterials to revolutionize cancer therapy by addressing multidrug resistance at cellular, genetic, and microenvironmental levels, offering a roadmap to improve therapeutic outcomes and reshape oncology practice. Full article

This work reports the synthesis of PdNi bimetallic particles and Pd on Carbon black (Vulcan XC-72) by reverse microemulsion and the chemical reduction of metallic complexes. The physicochemical characterization techniques used for the bimetallic and metallic materials were TGA, STEM, ICP-OES, and XRD. Also, the electrocatalysts were studied by electrochemical techniques such as anodic CO stripping and β-NiOOH reduction to elucidate the Pd and Ni surface sites participation in the reactions. The electrocatalysts were evaluated in the anodic reaction in anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) and the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline media. The results indicate that PdNi/C electrocatalysts exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity than Pd/C electrocatalysts in both the half-cell test and in the AEMFC, even with the same Pd loading, which is attributed to the bifunctional mechanism that provides OH^- groups in oxophilic sites associated to Ni, that can facilitate the desorption of Hads in the Pd sites for the bimetallic material. Full article

The development of sensitive and selective methods for detecting pesticide residues has become paramount for ensuring food safety. In this work, a high-performance molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on the composite of Cu-BTC- and FeCo-ZIF-derived N-doped carbon (FeCo@NC), synthesized by pyrolysis and electrodeposition, was developed for Benomyl (BN) detection. The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In this sensing system, the Cu-BTC/FeCo@NC composite used as the electrode substrate displayed a large specific surface area, high electronic conductivity, and rich active catalytic sites, demonstrating excellent electrocatalytic ability toward BN oxidation. Meanwhile, Cu-BTC, with its abundant surface functional groups, facilitated strong hydrogen bonding interactions with the imprinted template molecule of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), promoting the formation of a uniform molecularly imprinted membrane on the substrate material surface. The introduced MIP-PEDOT could enhance the selective recognition and enrichment of the target BN, leading to an amplified detection signal. Thanks to the synergistic effects between Cu-BTC/FeCo@NC and MIP-PEDOT, the proposed sensor achieved a low detection limit of 1.67 nM. Furthermore, the fabricated sensor exhibited high selectivity, reproducibility, and interference resistance in detecting BN. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of BN in vegetable and fruit samples, indicating its potential for use in practical applications. Full article

Nickel-doped iron oxide/graphene oxide powders were synthesized by the co-precipitation method varying the Ni/Fe ratio, and the activity of the materials towards the oxygen reduction reaction in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was studied. The samples presented X-ray diffraction peaks associated with magnetite, maghemite and Ni ferrite, as well as evidence of hematite. Raman spectra confirmed the presence of maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) and NiFe₂O₄. Scanning electron micrographs showed exfoliated sheets decorated with nanoparticles, and transmission electron micrographs showed spherical nanoparticles about 10 nm in diameter well distributed on the individual graphene sheet. The electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was studied by cyclic voltammetry in an air-saturated electrolyte, finding that the best catalyst was the sample with a 1:2 Ni/Fe ratio, using a catalyst concentration of 15 mg·cm⁻² on graphite felt. The 1:2 Ni/Fe catalyst provided an oxygen reduction potential of 397 mV and a maximum oxygen reduction current of −0.13 mA; for comparison, an electrode prepared with GO/γ-Fe₂O₃ showed a maximum ORR of 369 mV and a maximum current of −0.03 mA. Microbial fuel cells with a vertical proton membrane were prepared with Ni-doped Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/graphene oxide and tested for 24 h; they reached a stable OCV of +400 mV and +300 mV OCV, and an efficiency of 508 mW·m⁻² and 139 mW·m⁻², respectively. The better performance of Ni-doped material was attributed to the combined presence of catalytic activity between γ-Fe₂O₃ and NiFe₂O₄, coupled with lower wettability, which led to better dispersion onto the electrode. Full article

The removal of chlorinated organic pollutants from wastewater is a critical environmental challenge, as traditional methods for treating toxic pollutants like phenol and chlorophenols often suffer from high energy consumption and long treatment times, limiting their practical use. Electrocatalytic filtration has emerged as a promising alternative, but efficient, energy-saving electrocatalytic membranes for pollutants like 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) are still underexplored. A new type of electrocatalytic coupling membrane catalyst, ASP/CM (PANI-encapsulated aluminum silicate/ceramic membrane), was prepared using inexpensive silicate and polyaniline as the base materials, with in situ polymerization combined with co-focus magnetron sputtering. Under optimal conditions (25 mA/cm², 10 mM Na₂SO₄, 1.0 mL·min⁻¹ flow rate, and 50 μM 4-CP concentration), the membrane achieved about 95.1% removal of 4-CP and the degradation rate after five cycles was higher than 85%. In addition, O₂^•− and •OH are important active species in the electrocatalytic degradation of 4-CP. The 4-CP electrocatalytic membrane filtration process is a dual process of cathode reduction dechlorination and anodic oxidation. This work offers new insights into developing next-generation electrocatalytic membranes and expands the practical applications of electrocatalytic filtration systems. Full article

This study presents a structurally tunable Au-based solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane electrode with significantly enhanced performance in organic hydrogenation reactions. Compared to a Pt-based counterpart, the Au-based electrode achieved a 277% increase in cyclohexane yield and a 4.8% reduction in hydrogen evolution during cyclohexene hydrogenation, demonstrating superior catalytic selectivity and energy efficiency. The improved performance is attributed to synergistic optimization of the electrode’s nanostructure and electronic properties. The Au-based electrode exhibited a 215% increase in specific surface area (SSA) relative to its initial state, along with a markedly enhanced electrochemical active surface area (ECSA). These enhancements stem from its mesoporous architecture, lattice contraction, and high density of zero-dimensional defects. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed a negative shift in Au4f binding energy, a positive shift in Ni⁰ peaks, and an increased concentration of oxygen vacancies (Ov), indicating favorable modulation of the surface electronic structure. This reconstruction promotes H* adsorption and accelerates the hydrogenation reaction, serving as a key mechanism for catalytic enhancement. The core innovation of this work lies in the coordinated engineering of nanoscale structure and surface electronic states, enabling concurrent improvements in reaction rate, selectivity, and energy efficiency. These findings offer valuable guidance for designing noble metal-based membrane electrodes in advanced hydrogen energy conversion and storage systems. Full article

Enhancing the limited utilization and overall yield of Pt-based catalysts is essential for advancing proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology. Herein, we report a facile one-pot method that utilizes TEG as both a solvent and a reductant to efficiently synthesize a Pd@Pt core-shell icosahedron. By controlling the surface energy between Pd and Pt precursors, we achieved the formation of Pd@Pt core-shell icosahedra, resulting in a fourfold reduction in reaction time and an eightfold increase in yield. Moreover, the core-shell structures exhibited a significant enhancement in electrocatalytic activity, stability, and Pt utilization efficiency. In comparison to commercial Pt/C, the Pd@Pt core-shell icosahedron exhibited efficient mass activity (MA, 1.54 A mg⁻¹_Pt) and specific activity (SA, 2.24 mA cm⁻²_Pt) at 0.9 V (vs. RHE), while demonstrating excellent stability with minimal loss of activity even after 10,000 potential cycles. The Pd@Pt icosahedra configuration integrates the advantages of multiply twinned nanostructures, leading to rich electrochemical active surface sites and fast charge transport, thereby improving its catalytic performance and long-term stability during electrocatalytic reactions. Full article

Developing a catalyst with excellent electrical conductivity and catalytic performance for on-site testing of residual imidacloprid is significant and challenging. In situ growth of Mo₂C nanodots on Co-induced N-doped carbon nanotubes (Co/Mo₂C/N-CNT) was synthesized to construct a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for the detection of imidacloprid. The results proved that the catalytic performance of Co/Mo₂C/N-CNT for imidacloprid was over two times higher than those of Co/N-CNT and commercial CNT. This improvement was attributed to the formation of a heterostructure between Co species, Mo₂C, and N-CNT, which facilitated highly exposed catalytic active sites. Additionally, the abundant Mo₂C nano-dots promoted interfacial charge transfer to achieve optimal dynamics. The optimum preparation parameters of the catalysts were obtained by response surface methodology. By analyzing the relationship between different pH values and peak potential, as well as the influence of different scanning rates on peak potential, it was deduced that the possible electrocatalytic mechanism of imidacloprid involved the reduction of the nitro group to a hydroxylamine group and H₂O. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.033 × 10⁻⁶ mol·L⁻¹ (R² = 0.99698), and the linear range was 0.1 × 10⁻⁶~100 × 10⁻⁶ mol·L⁻¹. The application effect of the prepared sensor was evaluated by measuring the imidacloprid in two kinds of tea, indicating that the sensor possessed good sensitivity and selectivity, and was capable of meeting the requirements of on-site detection. Full article

The design of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts to replace Pt in an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for advancing proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technologies. This study synthesized Pd-Co bimetallic alloy nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through a simple chemical-reduction method, making it suitable for low-cost, large-scale fabrication and significantly reducing the need for Pt. The nanostructures were systematically characterized using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Electrochemical investigations revealed that the Pd-Co/rGO catalyst exhibits remarkable ORR performance in an alkaline environment, with an electrode-area-normalized activity rivaling that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Remarkably, Pd-Co/rGO demonstrated an onset potential (E_onset) of 0.944 V (vs. RHE) and a half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 0.782 V (vs. RHE), highlighting its excellent ORR activity. Furthermore, the Pd-Co/rGO catalyst displayed superior methanol-tolerant ORR activity, outperforming Pt/C and monometallic Pd/rGO and Co/rGO systems. The enhanced electrocatalytic performance is attributed to the smallest size, consistent shape, and good dispersion of the alloy structure on the RGO surface. These findings establish Pd-Co/rGO as a promising alternative to Pt-based catalysts, addressing key challenges such as methanol crossover while advancing PEMFC technology in alkaline media. Full article

Over the years, the ammonia concentration in water streams and the environment is increasing at an alarming rate. Many membrane-based processes have been studied to alleviate this concern via adsorption and filtration. On the other hand, ammonia electro-oxidation is an approach of particular interest owing to its energetic and environmental benefits. Thus, a plausible alternative to combine these two paths is by using an electroconductive membrane (ECM) to complete the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR). This combination of processes has been studied very limitedly, and it can be an area for development. Herein, we developed a multilayered membrane with hydrophilic and electrocatalytic properties capable of completing the AOR. The porosity of carbon black (CB) particles was embedded in the polymeric support (CBES) and the active side was composed of a triple layer consisting of polyamide/CB/Pt nanoparticles (PA:CB:Pt). The CBES increased the membrane porosity, changed the pores morphology, and enhanced water permeability and electroconductivity. The deposition of each layer was monitored and corroborated physically, chemically, and electrochemically. The final membrane CBES:PA:VXC:Pt reached higher water flux than its PSF counterpart (3.9 ± 0.3 LMH), had a hydrophilic surface (water contact angle: 19.8 ± 0.4°), and achieved the AOR at −0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Our results suggest that ECMs with conductive material in both membrane layers enhanced their electrical properties. Moreover, this study is proof-of-concept that the AOR can be succeeded by a polymeric FO-ECMs. Full article