Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 February 2023) | Viewed by 12705

Special Issue Editor

School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 16024, China
Interests: electrocatalysis; hydrogen energy; alcohol oxidation; equipment design; fuel cells; quantum chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrocatalysis is an important branch of catalysis research. In recent decades, various electrocatalytic reactions such as electrocatalytic water reduction (hydrogen evolution), water oxidation (oxygen evolution), hydrogen oxidation, alcohol oxidation (alcohol = methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol etc.), oxygen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction etc. have received a great deal of attention from the academic community. Driven by electrical energy, these electrocatalytic oxidation and reduction reactions offer the possibility of producing electricity, energy storage molecules or value-added chemicals. If the origin of the electrical energy is a zero-carbon energy source that does not produce carbon emissions (e.g., hydroelectric, wind, nuclear, or photovoltaic energy), the whole production process will be greener compared to the traditional thermocatalytic process. In the long run, this is of great importance to curb global warming by achieving carbon neutrality. One of the difficulties with electrocatalytic reactions is the development of highly active catalysts that can reduce the energy consumption of the reaction, which requires consideration of several factors including the electrochemically active surface area, conductivity, intrinsic activity and hydrophilicity of the catalyst. In order to investigate the electrocatalytic reaction mechanism in depth, it is necessary not only to study the reaction active sites and adsorbed species under difference electrode potential, temperature and pH in combination with in-situ experiments, but also to use theoretical calculations to correlate the intrinsic activity of the catalyst with descriptors such as energy barrier of rate-determining step, adsorption energy and degree of orbital energy difference matching. Therefore, this Special Issue will cover the latest advances in the development of electrocatalysts in the field of electrocatalytic oxidation–reduction reactions, providing a platform for the presentation of cutting-edge innovative research with application value and in-depth mechanistic studies.

Dr. Ji Qi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • electrocatalytic process
  • oxidation reaction
  • reduction reaction
  • hydrogen evolution
  • oxygen evolution
  • hydrogen oxidation
  • methanol oxidation
  • ethanol oxidation
  • ethylene glycol oxidation
  • glycerol oxidation
  • oxygen reduction
  • carbon dioxide reduction
  • nitrogen reduction

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4937 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Small Nanoparticles of Pd-Pt-Ni Alloy Octahedra with High Lattice Strain for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction
by Yuanyan Luo, Wenhua Lou, Huiyan Feng, Zhihang Liu, Qiuyan Chen, Guizhen Liao, Xiaoting Huang, Panagiotis Tsiakaras and Peikang Shen
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 97; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal13010097 - 03 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1732
Abstract
The design and synthesis of ultra-small-sized Pt-based catalyst with specific effects for enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an effective way to improve the utilization of Pt. Herein, Pt-Pd-Ni octahedra nanoparticles characterized by the ultra-small size of 4.71 nm were synthesized by [...] Read more.
The design and synthesis of ultra-small-sized Pt-based catalyst with specific effects for enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an effective way to improve the utilization of Pt. Herein, Pt-Pd-Ni octahedra nanoparticles characterized by the ultra-small size of 4.71 nm were synthesized by a Pd seed-inducing-growth route. Initially, Pd nanocubes were synthesized under solvothermal conditions; subsequently, Pt-Ni was deposited in the Pd seed solution. The Pd seeds were oxidized into Pd2+ and combined with Pt2+ and Ni2+ in the solution and finally formed the ternary alloy small-sized octahedra. In the synthesis process of the ultra-small Pt-Pd-Ni octahedra, Pd nanocube seed played an important role. In addition, the size of the Pt-Pd-Ni octahedra could be regulated by adjusting the concentration rate of Pt-Ni. The ultra-small Pt-Pd-Ni octahedra formation by depositing Pt-Ni with a feeding ratio of 2:1 showed good ORR activity, and the high half-wave potential was 0.933 V. In addition, the Pt-Pd-Ni octahedra showed an enhanced mass activity of 0.93 A mg−1 Pt+Pd in ORR, which was 5.81 times higher than commercial Pt/C. The theoretical calculation shows that compared to Pt/C, the small-sized ternary alloy octahedra had an obvious contraction strain effect (contraction rate: 3.49%). The alloying effect affected the d-band center of the Pt negative shift. In the four-electron reaction, Pt-Pd-Ni ultra-small octahedra exhibited the lowest overpotential, resulting in the adsorption performance to become optimized. Therefore, the Pd seed-inducing-growth route provides a new idea for exploring the synthesis of small-sized nanoparticle catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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11 pages, 3070 KiB  
Article
One-Pot Au@Pd Dendritic Nanoparticles as Electrocatalysts with Ethanol Oxidation Reaction
by Young Su Choi, Mi-Jung Ji, Yu Jin Kim, Hyeon Jeong Kim, Jong Wook Hong and Young Wook Lee
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 11; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal13010011 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1613
Abstract
The one-pot synthesis strategy of Au@Pd dendrites nanoparticles (Au@Pd DNPs) was simply synthesized in a high-temperature aqueous solution condition where cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) acted as a reducing and capping agent at a high temperature. The Au@Pd DNPs with highly monodisperse were shown in [...] Read more.
The one-pot synthesis strategy of Au@Pd dendrites nanoparticles (Au@Pd DNPs) was simply synthesized in a high-temperature aqueous solution condition where cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) acted as a reducing and capping agent at a high temperature. The Au@Pd DNPs with highly monodisperse were shown in high yields by the Au:Pd rate. The nanostructure and optical and crystalline properties of the Au@Pd DNPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction. The Au@Pd DNPs showed an efficient electrochemical catalytic performance rate toward the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) due to their nanostructures and Au:Pd rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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11 pages, 4014 KiB  
Article
Electrochemical Detection of Sulfite by Electroreduction Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Binder with N-octylpyridinium Hexafluorophosphate Ionic Liquid
by Maicol Bustos Villalobos, José Ibarra, Leyla Gidi, Valentina Cavieres, María Jesús Aguirre, Galo Ramírez and Roxana Arce
Catalysts 2022, 12(12), 1675; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12121675 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1362
Abstract
Sulfite is a widely used additive in food and beverages, and its maximum content is limited by food regulations. For this reason, determining the sulfite concentration using fast, low-cost techniques is a current challenge. This work describes the behavior of a sensor based [...] Read more.
Sulfite is a widely used additive in food and beverages, and its maximum content is limited by food regulations. For this reason, determining the sulfite concentration using fast, low-cost techniques is a current challenge. This work describes the behavior of a sensor based on an electrode formed by carbon nanotubes an ionic liquid as binder, which by electrochemical reduction, allows detecting sulfite with a detection limit of 1.6 ± 0.05 mmol L−1 and presents adequate sensitivity. The advantage of detecting sulfite by reduction and not by oxidation is that the presence of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid does not affect the measurement. The electrode shown here is low-cost and easy to manufacture, robust, and stable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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9 pages, 4832 KiB  
Article
Application of a TEMPO-Polypyrrole Polymer for NOx-Mediated Oxygen Electroreduction
by Daniil A. Lukyanov, Arseniy Y. Kalnin, Lyubov G. Rubicheva, Vasiliy V. Potapenkov, Olga Y. Bakulina and Oleg V. Levin
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1466; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12111466 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1425
Abstract
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the key processes for electrochemical energy storage, such as the cathode process in fuel cells and metal–air batteries. To date, the efficiency of the ORR half-reaction limits the overall performance of these energy storage devices. [...] Read more.
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the key processes for electrochemical energy storage, such as the cathode process in fuel cells and metal–air batteries. To date, the efficiency of the ORR half-reaction limits the overall performance of these energy storage devices. Traditional platinum-based materials are expensive and cannot provide the desired ORR efficiency. As an alternative, a new catalytic scheme for an ORR was proposed, which consisted of an electrode modified with a TEMPO-containing conductive polymer and a solution redox mediator system based on nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx is perfect for oxygen reduction in solution, which, however, cannot be efficiently reduced onto a pristine electrode, while TEMPO is inactive in the ORR itself but catalyzes the electrochemical reduction of NO2 on the electrode surface. Together, these catalysts have a synergistic effect, enabling an efficient ORR in an acidic medium. In the present study, the synthesis of a novel TEMPO-containing conductive polymer and its application in the synergistic ORR system with a NOx mediator is described. The proposed mediator system may increase the performance of proton-exchange fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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9 pages, 2069 KiB  
Article
CuZr Metal Glass Powder as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions
by Zhangyu Xie, Zhaoqi Song, Jie Zhao, Ying Li, Xingke Cai, Dongqing Liu, Jun Shen and Panagiotis Tsiakaras
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1378; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12111378 - 07 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1525
Abstract
For the practical application of water electrolysis, it is essential to develop cost-effective and high efficiency electrocatalysts for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evaluation reaction (OER). In this work, we applied CuZr metallic glass powder, after chemical dealloying treatment, as electrocatalysts. [...] Read more.
For the practical application of water electrolysis, it is essential to develop cost-effective and high efficiency electrocatalysts for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evaluation reaction (OER). In this work, we applied CuZr metallic glass powder, after chemical dealloying treatment, as electrocatalysts. The as-prepared sample had both the increased specific area and optimized surface composition of an efficient catalyst. During the HER and OER processes, the dealloyed CuZr sample displayed overpotential of 195 mV and 310 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively. A two-electrode water splitting cell, using the as-prepared CuZr sample, exhibited high stability towards a high current density of 500 mA cm−2, and lower overpotential, compared to a Pt/C//IrO2 cell, during the 10 mA cm−2 constant current density aging test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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17 pages, 3606 KiB  
Article
Paired Electrolysis of Acrylonitrile and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural for Simultaneous Generation of Adiponitrile and 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid
by Ji Qi, Ziying An, Xiao Chen, Chuang Li, Yan Du, Xiuhong Zhang and Changhai Liang
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 694; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12070694 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2453
Abstract
The classic acrylonitrile (AN) electrohydrodimerization (EHD) to adiponitrile (ADN) process produces oxygen on the anode side. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is energy consuming, and O2 is of low value and has security issues while directly contacting with organic molecules. Herein, by [...] Read more.
The classic acrylonitrile (AN) electrohydrodimerization (EHD) to adiponitrile (ADN) process produces oxygen on the anode side. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is energy consuming, and O2 is of low value and has security issues while directly contacting with organic molecules. Herein, by replacing OER with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR), we report paired electrolysis of AN and HMF for simultaneous generation of ADN and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). On the anode side, the electrodeposited amorphous NiMoP film-covered nickel foam efficiently boosted HMFOR activity by enlarging the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) via in situ selective removal of Mo and P on the surface. On the cathode side, addition of dimethylformamide (DMF) as a cosolvent enhanced the reaction efficiency of ANEHD by forming a single-phase electrolyte that offers better interaction between AN and the electrode. The ANEHD–HMFOR paired system shows excellent generation rates of FDCA (0.018 gFDCA·h−1·cm−2) and ADN (0.017 gADN·h−1·cm−2) at a high cell current (160 mA). An amount of 1 kWh of electricity can produce 2.91 mol of ADN and 0.53 mol of FDCA with 107.1% Faraday efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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Review

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18 pages, 2962 KiB  
Review
Perovskite Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution and Reduction Reactions in Zinc-Air Batteries
by Zheng Zhu, Qiangqiang Song, Baokai Xia, Lili Jiang, Jingjing Duan and Sheng Chen
Catalysts 2022, 12(12), 1490; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12121490 - 22 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2017
Abstract
The Zinc-air battery (ZAB) has become a hot research topic for nearly a decade due to its high energy densities. As an important category of catalysts for ZAB, perovskites have attracted extensive interests because of their environmentally friendly properties, cheapness, and excellent electrocatalytic [...] Read more.
The Zinc-air battery (ZAB) has become a hot research topic for nearly a decade due to its high energy densities. As an important category of catalysts for ZAB, perovskites have attracted extensive interests because of their environmentally friendly properties, cheapness, and excellent electrocatalytic performances. This review article discusses the mechanistic analyses regarding the progress of perovskites for ZAB. In addition, electrode manipulation methods of perovskites for battery device are also emphasized. Finally, perspectives are given on the limitations of the current perovskite catalysts for ZABs. We hope that this review will provide new clues for promoting perovskites as catalysts for many energy-storage and conversion applications in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrocatalysts for Oxidation-Reduction Reactions)
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