To realize the practical application of rechargeable Zn-Air batteries (ZABs), it is imperative to develop a non-noble metal-based electrocatalyst with high electrochemical performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, Ni-doped CoS nanoparticles dispersed on an inverse opal-structured N, S co-doped carbon matrix (IO─NiCoS@NSC) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst is presented. The unique 3D porous structure, arranged in an inverse opal pattern, provides a large active surface area.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExploring precious metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysts for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential for the practical application of rechargeable Zn-air battery (ZAB). Herein, Ni-doped CoS nanoparticles embedded in a defect-rich N, S co-doped carbon matrix (d-NiCoS@NSC) are synthesized via a facile pyrolysis and acid treatment process. The introduction of abundant defects in both the carbon matrix and metal sulfide provides numerous active sites and significantly enhances the electrocatalytic performances for both the ORR and OER.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGaskets and seals are essential components in the operation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and are required for keeping hydrogen and air/oxygen within their individual compartments. The durability of these gaskets and seals is necessary, as it influences not only the lifespan but also the electrochemical efficiency of the PEM fuel cell. In this study, the cause of silicon leaching from silicone gaskets under simulated fuel cell conditions was investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUtilizing renewable electricity for water electrolysis offers a promising way for generating high-purity hydrogen gases while mitigating the emission of environmental pollutants. To realize the water electrolysis, it is necessary to develop highly active and precious metal-free electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) which incurs significant overpotential due to its complicated four-electron transfer mechanism. Hence, we propose a facile preparation method for hollow-structured Fe and F dual-doped CoS nanosphere (Fe-CoS-F) as an efficient OER electrocatalyst.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe development of efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is critical for hydrogen production and wastewater purification. In this work, we propose a facile synthetic method for Co and N dual-doped NiP directly grown on Ni foam (Co-NiP-N/NF) using hydrothermal and annealing process. Simultaneous Co and N dual-doping into NiP not only modifies the surface electronic structure, but also generates a multitude of active sites with high valence states, which are beneficial for improving electrocatalytic kinetics for both OER and UOR.
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