Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 20142

Special Issue Editor

Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, IT-40126 Bologna, Italy
Interests: electyrochemistry; supercapacitors; composite materials; smart sensors; wearable sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,                

The preparation of electrocatalytic nanomaterials and their characterization represent an important area of academic and industrial research.

Noble-metal nanoparticles have been of fundamental interest and technological importance in the past years because of their applications as catalysts for heterogeneous electrocatalysts. The design and development of advanced electrocatalysts have been the subject of continuous extensive study, and recently hybrid materials have been largely employed for this purpose. With the discovery of graphene and carbon nanotubes, two-or three-dimensional (2D, 3D) carbon-based nanomaterials have also emerged as some of the most promising candidates for electrocatalysis due to their unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties. The ultimate challenge in the field of electrocatalysis is investigating the relationship between the microscopic view of reaction-intermediate adsorbed states and the macroscopic reaction kinetics.

We invite authors to contribute original research articles or comprehensive review articles covering the most recent progress and new developments in the design, synthesis and characterization of electrocatalytic nanomaterials. All possible applications of electrocatalysis must be explored.

The format of the articles includes full papers, communications, and reviews.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  1. Nanomaterials development, synthesis, and fabrication for electrocatalytic applications;
  2. Low-dimensional nanomaterials or nanocomposites for electrocatalysis;
  3. Design and preparation of novel nanotextured/nanostructured electrocatalytic surfaces;
  4. Electrocatalytic nanomaterial-based technologies for sustainability and environmental issues;
  5. Other studies of nanoscience and nanotechnology associated with electrocatalytic applications and sustainability;
  6. Characterization techniques for electrocatalytic nanomaterials;
  7. Hydrogen-evolution catalysis.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Ballarin
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • electrocatalysis
  • nanotechnology for sustainability
  • ORR
  • nanomaterials for electrocatalysis
  • electrochemical biosensors
  • electrochemical sensors
  • characterization
  • composite materials
  • energetic applications

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4744 KiB  
Article
A Facile Design of Solution-Phase Based VS2 Multifunctional Electrode for Green Energy Harvesting and Storage
by Supriya A. Patil, Iqra Rabani, Sajjad Hussain, Young-Soo Seo, Jongwan Jung, Nabeen K. Shrestha, Hyunsik Im and Hyungsang Kim
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 339; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12030339 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2463
Abstract
This work reports the fabrication of vanadium sulfide (VS2) microflower via one-step solvo-/hydro-thermal process. The impact of ethylene glycol on the VS2 morphology and crystal structure as well as the ensuing influences on electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and supercapacitor [...] Read more.
This work reports the fabrication of vanadium sulfide (VS2) microflower via one-step solvo-/hydro-thermal process. The impact of ethylene glycol on the VS2 morphology and crystal structure as well as the ensuing influences on electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and supercapacitor performance are explored and compared with those of the VS2 obtained from the standard pure-aqueous and pure-ethylene glycol solvents. The optimized VS2 obtained from the ethylene glycol and water mixed solvents exhibits a highly ordered unique assembly of petals resulting a highly open microflower structure. The electrode based on the optimized VS2 and exhibits a promising HER electrocatalysis in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1 M KOH electrolytes, attaining a low overpotential of 161 and 197 mV, respectively, at 10 mA.cm−2 with a small Tafel slope 83 and 139 mVdec−1. In addition, the optimized VS2 based electrode exhibits an excellent electrochemical durability over 13 h. Furthermore, the superior VS2 electrode based symmetric supercapacitor delivers a specific capacitance of 139 Fg−1 at a discharging current density of 0.7 Ag−1 and exhibits an enhanced energy density of 15.63 Whkg−1 at a power density 0.304 kWkg−1. Notably, the device exhibits the capacity retention of 86.8% after 7000 charge/discharge cycles, demonstrating a high stability of the VS2 electrode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials)
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13 pages, 3975 KiB  
Article
Super-Dispersed Fe–N Sites Embedded into Porous Graphitic Carbon for ORR: Size, Composition and Activity Control
by Xin Yu Wang, Ze Wei Lin, Yan Qing Jiao, Jian Cong Liu and Rui Hong Wang
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2106; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11082106 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1759
Abstract
Searching for high-efficient, good long-term stability, and low-cost electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desirable for the development of sustainable energy conversion devices. Iron–nitrogen doped carbon (Fe–N/C) catalysts have been recognized as the most promising candidates for traditional Pt-based catalysts that [...] Read more.
Searching for high-efficient, good long-term stability, and low-cost electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desirable for the development of sustainable energy conversion devices. Iron–nitrogen doped carbon (Fe–N/C) catalysts have been recognized as the most promising candidates for traditional Pt-based catalysts that benefit from their high activity, excellent anti-poisoning ability, and inexpensiveness. Here, a super-dispersed and high-performance Fe–N/C catalyst was derived from chemically Fe-doped zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) by directly bonding Fe ions to imidazolate ligands within 3D frameworks. It produced a series of catalysts, whose sizes could be tuned in the range from 62 to over 473 nm in diameter. After rationally regulating the component and heating treatment, the best ORR activity was measured for the catalyst with a size of 105 nm, which was obtained when the Fe3+/Zn2+ molar ratio was 0.05 and carbonization temperature was 900 °C. It exhibited a high onset potential (Eonset = 0.99 V) and half-wave potential (E1/2 = 0.885 V) compared with a commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst (Eonset = 0.10 V, E1/2 = 0.861 V) as well as much better durability and methanol resistance in an alkaline electrolyte. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials)
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14 pages, 2059 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Effect of Varying the Metal Precursor in the Colloidal Synthesis of MoSe2 Nanomaterials and Their Application as Electrodes in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
by Zakhele Ndala, Ndivhuwo Shumbula, Siyabonga Nkabinde, Tshwarela Kolokoto, Obakeng Nchoe, Poslet Shumbula, Zikhona N. Tetana, Ella C. Linganiso, Siziwe S. Gqoba and Nosipho Moloto
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(9), 1786; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10091786 - 09 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2714
Abstract
Herein we report on the use of different metal precursors in the synthesis of MoSe2 nanomaterials in order to control their morphology. The use of Mo(CO)6 as the metal precursor resulted in the formation of wrinkled few-layer nanosheets, while the use [...] Read more.
Herein we report on the use of different metal precursors in the synthesis of MoSe2 nanomaterials in order to control their morphology. The use of Mo(CO)6 as the metal precursor resulted in the formation of wrinkled few-layer nanosheets, while the use of H2MoO4 as the metal precursor resulted in the formation of nanoflowers. To investigate the effect of the morphologies on their performance as catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction, electrochemical characterization was done using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The MoSe2 nanoflowers were found to have superior electrochemical performance towards the hydrogen evolution reaction with a lower Tafel slope, on-set potential, and overpotential at 10 mA/cm2 compared to the wrinkled few-layer nanosheets. This was found to be due to the higher effective electrochemical surface area of the nanoflowers compared to the nanosheets which suggests a higher number of exposed edge sites in the nanoflowers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials)
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12 pages, 2959 KiB  
Article
Facile Construction of All-Solid-State Z-Scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 Thin Film for the Efficient Visible-Light Degradation of Organic Pollutant
by Wan Zhao, Xiuru Yang, Chunxi Liu, Xiaoxiao Qian, Yanru Wen, Qian Yang, Tao Sun, Wenya Chang, Xin Liu and Zhi Chen
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 600; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10040600 - 25 Mar 2020
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3074
Abstract
The increasing discharge of dyes and antibiotic pollutants in water has brought serious environmental problems. However, it is difficult to remove such pollutants effectively by traditional sewage treatment technologies. Semiconductor photocatalysis is a new environment-friendly technique and is widely used in aqueous pollution [...] Read more.
The increasing discharge of dyes and antibiotic pollutants in water has brought serious environmental problems. However, it is difficult to remove such pollutants effectively by traditional sewage treatment technologies. Semiconductor photocatalysis is a new environment-friendly technique and is widely used in aqueous pollution control. TiO2 is one of the most investigated photocatalysts; however, it still faces the main drawbacks of a poor visible-light response and a low charge-separation efficiency. Moreover, powder photocatalyst is difficult to be recovered, which is another obstacle limiting the practical application. In this article, g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction is simply immobilized on a glass substrate to form an all-solid-state Z-scheme heterojunction. The obtained thin-film photocatalyst was characterized and applied in the visible-light photodegradation of colored rhodamine B and tetracycline hydrochloride. The photocatalytic performance is related to the deposited layers, and the sample with five layers shows the best photocatalytic efficiency. The thin-film photocatalyst is easy to be recovered with stability. The active component responsible for the photodegradation is identified and a Z-scheme mechanism is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials)
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Review

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20 pages, 1690 KiB  
Review
Synthesis and Characterization of Layered Double Hydroxides as Materials for Electrocatalytic Applications
by Domenica Tonelli, Isacco Gualandi, Elisa Musella and Erika Scavetta
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 725; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11030725 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4588
Abstract
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are anionic clays which have found applications in a wide range of fields, including electrochemistry. In such a case, to display good performances they should possess electrical conductivity which can be ensured by the presence of metals able to [...] Read more.
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are anionic clays which have found applications in a wide range of fields, including electrochemistry. In such a case, to display good performances they should possess electrical conductivity which can be ensured by the presence of metals able to give reversible redox reactions in a proper potential window. The metal centers can act as redox mediators to catalyze reactions for which the required overpotential is too high, and this is a key aspect for the development of processes and devices where the control of charge transfer reactions plays an important role. In order to act as redox mediator, a material can be present in solution or supported on a conductive support. The most commonly used methods to synthesize LDHs, referring both to bulk synthesis and in situ growth methods, which allow for the direct modification of conductive supports, are here summarized. In addition, the most widely used techniques to characterize the LDHs structure and morphology are also reported, since their electrochemical performance is strictly related to these features. Finally, some electrocatalytic applications of LDHs, when synthesized as nanomaterials, are discussed considering those related to sensing, oxygen evolution reaction, and other energy issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials)
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17 pages, 4439 KiB  
Review
Preparation of Zirconium Phosphate Nanomaterials and Their Applications as Inorganic Supports for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
by Mario V. Ramos-Garcés and Jorge L. Colón
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 822; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10050822 - 26 Apr 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4919
Abstract
Zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanomaterials have been studied extensively ever since the preparation of the first crystalline form was reported in 1964. ZrP and its derivatives, because of their versatility, have found applications in several fields. Herein, we provide an overview of some advancements [...] Read more.
Zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanomaterials have been studied extensively ever since the preparation of the first crystalline form was reported in 1964. ZrP and its derivatives, because of their versatility, have found applications in several fields. Herein, we provide an overview of some advancements made in the preparation of ZrP nanomaterials, including exfoliation and morphology control of the nanoparticles. We also provide an overview of the advancements made with ZrP as an inorganic support for the electrocatalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Emphasis is made on how the preparation of the ZrP electrocatalysts affects the activity of the OER. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Preparation of Electrocatalytic Nanomaterials)
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