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Current Development Prospects of Electrocatalysis Today

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 2836

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Juan Peng

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
Interests: electrocatalysis; electrosynthesis; scanning electrochemical microscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrocatalysis involves many energy conversion technologies, including fuel cells, water electrolysis, and metal–air batteries, etc. For example, water electrolysis generates green renewable fuels (hydrogen), which do not harm the environment. Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (CO₂RR) is a green technology that can convert intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy into fuel and valuable chemicals. Electrocatalysis typically relies on the use of electrocatalysts (homogeneous or heterogeneous) to accelerate reaction rates, improve reaction selectivity, and improve energy efficiency. Therefore, the development of efficient and robust electrocatalyst materials through various engineering strategies is of great significance. Great efforts have been made to study the complex reality of catalyst surfaces, electrodes, and electrolytes, and to understand reaction pathways and mechanisms. In the past decade, new ideas, materials, methods, and applications have driven its rapid growth. Despite significant progress in energy and environmental electrolysis, these energy technologies still face major issues such as long-term durability under practical conditions, hindering further commercialization and large-scale application. As authors and editors, we feel it necessary to organize a Special Issue on this topic to disseminate the latest achievements and outline the latest developments.

Dr. Juan Peng
Guest Editor

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Keywords

hydrogen electrocatalysis
oxygen electrocatalysis
CO₂ reduction
N₂ reduction
biomass upgrading
degradation of pollutants
electrosynthesis

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 9282 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Nickel–Iron-Layered Double Hydroxide Electrocatalyst with Nanosheets Array for High Performance of Water Splitting

by Zhi Lu, Shilin Li, Laiyuan Ning, Kun Tang, Yifan Guo, Long You, Chong Chen and Guangxin Wang

Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2092; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092092 - 1 May 2024

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Abstract

Developing high-performance and cost-competitive electrocatalysts have great significance for the massive commercial production of water-splitting hydrogen. Ni-based electrocatalysts display tremendous potential for electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, we synthesize a novel NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) electrocatalyst in nanosheets array on high-purity Ni foam. By adjusting the Ni/Fe ratio, the microstructure, and even the behavior of the electrocatalyst in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), changes significantly. The as-obtained material shows a small overpotential of 223 mV at 10 mAcm⁻² as well as a low Tafel slope of 48.9 mV·dec⁻¹ in the 1 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, it can deliver good stability for at least 24 h of continuous working at 10 mAcm⁻². This work proposes a strategy for engineering catalysts and provides a method for the development of other Ni-based catalysts with excellent performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Development Prospects of Electrocatalysis Today)

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13 pages, 3014 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bifunctional Al-Doped Cobalt Ferrocyanide Nanocube Array for Energy-Saving Hydrogen Production via Urea Electrolysis

by Xiafei Gao, Mengyue Gao, Xueping Yu, Xiaoyong Jin, Gang Ni and Juan Peng

Molecules 2023, 28(20), 7147; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207147 - 18 Oct 2023

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Abstract

The very slow anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) greatly limits the development of large-scale hydrogen production via water electrolysis. By replacing OER with an easier urea oxidation reaction (UOR), developing an HER/UOR coupling electrolysis system for hydrogen production could save a significant amount of energy and money. An Al-doped cobalt ferrocyanide (Al-Co₂Fe(CN)₆) nanocube array was in situ grown on nickel foam (Al-Co₂Fe(CN)₆/NF). Due to the unique nanocube array structure and regulated electronic structure of Al-Co₂Fe(CN)₆, the as-prepared Al-Co₂Fe(CN)₆/NF electrode exhibited outstanding catalytic activities and long-term stability to both UOR and HER. The Al-Co₂Fe(CN)₆/NF electrode needed potentials of 0.169 V and 1.118 V (vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode) to drive 10 mA cm⁻² for HER and UOR, respectively, in alkaline conditions. Applying the Al-Co₂Fe(CN)₆/NF to a whole-urea electrolysis system, 10 mA cm⁻² was achieved at a cell voltage of 1.357 V, which saved 11.2% electricity energy compared to that of traditional water splitting. Density functional theory calculations demonstrated that the boosted UOR activity comes from Co sites with Al-doped electronic environments. This promoted and balanced the adsorption/desorption of the main intermediates in the UOR process. This work indicates that Co-based materials as efficient catalysts have great prospects for application in urea electrolysis systems and are expected to achieve low-cost and energy-saving H₂ production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Development Prospects of Electrocatalysis Today)

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Review

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36 pages, 10450 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances and Synergistic Effects of Non-Precious Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as ORR Electrocatalysts: A Review

by Laksamee Payattikul, Chen-Yu Chen, Yong-Song Chen, Mariyappan Raja Pugalenthi and Konlayutt Punyawudho

Molecules 2023, 28(23), 7751; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28237751 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1378

Abstract

The use of platinum-free (Pt) cathode electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) has been significantly studied over the past decade, improving slow reaction mechanisms. For many significant energy conversion and storage technologies, including fuel cells and metal–air batteries, the ORR is a crucial process. These have motivated the development of highly active and long-lasting platinum-free electrocatalysts, which cost less than proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Researchers have identified a novel, non-precious carbon-based electrocatalyst material as the most effective substitute for platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts. Rich sources, outstanding electrical conductivity, adaptable molecular structures, and environmental compatibility are just a few of its benefits. Additionally, the increased surface area and the simplicity of regulating its structure can significantly improve the electrocatalyst’s reactive sites and mass transport. Other benefits include the use of heteroatoms and single or multiple metal atoms, which are capable of acting as extremely effective ORR electrocatalysts. The rapid innovations in non-precious carbon-based nanomaterials in the ORR electrocatalyst field are the main topics of this review. As a result, this review provides an overview of the basic ORR reaction and the mechanism of the active sites in non-precious carbon-based electrocatalysts. Further analysis of the development, performance, and evaluation of these systems is provided in more detail. Furthermore, the significance of doping is highlighted and discussed, which shows how researchers can enhance the properties of electrocatalysts. Finally, this review discusses the existing challenges and expectations for the development of highly efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts that are linked to crucial technologies in this expanding field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Development Prospects of Electrocatalysis Today)

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