Evaluating the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity of Colloidally Prepared PtSe and PtTe Catalysts in an Alkaline Medium.

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes using transition metal dichalcogenides is a research area that is not tapped into. Alkaline HER ( ) is harder to achieve relative to acidic HER ( ), this is attributed to the additional water dissociation step that occurs in basic HER to generate H ions. In fact, for most catalysts, their HER activity decreases tremendously when the electrolyte is changed from acidic to basic conditions.

Catalyst Design: Counter Anion Effect on Ni Nanocatalysts Anchored on Hollow Carbon Spheres.

Herein, the influence of the counter anion on the structural properties of hollow carbon spheres (HCS) support was investigated by varying the nickel metal precursor salts applied. TEM and SEM micrographs revealed the dimensional dependence of the HCS shell on the Ni precursor salt, as evidenced by thick (~42 nm) and thin (~23 nm) shells for the acetate and chloride-based salts, respectively. Importantly, the effect of the precursor salt on the textural properties of the HCS nanosupports (~565 m/g) and ~607 m/g), influenced the growth of the Ni nanoparticles, viz for the acetate-( 6.

The effect of the metal and selenium precursors on the properties of NbSe and NbSe nanostructures and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Herein, we report on the effect of the precursors on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of niobium selenide using the heat-up colloidal method. The metal precursor was varied from the conventional NbCl to NbF whilst Se, SeO, and selenourea were used as the selenium precursors. The NbCl and NbF resulted in the formation of NbSe and NbSe respectively.

Platinum Nanocatalysts Supported on Defective Hollow Carbon Spheres: Oxygen Reduction Reaction Durability Studies.

The durability and long-term applicability of catalysts are critical parameters for the commercialization and adoption of fuel cells. Even though a few studies have been conducted on hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) as supports for Pt in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) catalysis, in-depth durability studies have not been conducted thus far. In this study, Pt/HCSs and Pt/nitrogen-doped HCSs (Pt/NHCSs) were prepared using a reflux deposition technique.

Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol Using Cobalt Oxide Supported Inside and Outside Hollow Carbon Spheres.

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (6 nm) supported both inside and outside of hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) were synthesized by using two different polymer templates. The oxidation of benzyl alcohol was used as a model reaction to evaluate the catalysts. PXRD studies indicated that the Co oxidation state varied for the different catalysts due to reduction of the Co by the carbon, and a metal oxidation step prior to the benzyl alcohol oxidation enhanced the catalytic activity.