Unravelling the Bi-Functional Electrocatalytic Properties of {MoFe} Polyoxometalate Nanostructures for Overall Water Splitting Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscope and Electrochemical Gating Methods.

This study reports the use of Keplerate-type {MoFe} polyoxometalate (POMs) nanostructures as a bi-functional-electrocatalyst for HER and OER in an alkaline medium with a lower overpotential (135 mV for HER and 264 mV for OER), and excellent electrochemical stability. The bi-functional catalytic properties of {MoFe} POM are studied using a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) via current mapping using substrate generation and tip collection mode. Furthermore, the bipolar nature of the {MoFe} POM nano-electrocatalysts is studied using the electrochemical gating via simultaneous monitoring of the electrochemical (cell) and electrical ({MoFe} POM) signals.

Topochemically prepared tungsten disulfide nanostructures as a novel pseudocapacitive electrode for high performance supercapacitor.

The topochemical preparation of nanostructured materials (NMs) has received significant attention in recent years due to the exceptional electrochemical properties exhibited by the resulting NMs. This work focuses on the preparation of two-dimensional tungsten di-sulfide (WS) nanostructures through the topochemical conversion of tungsten trioxide (WO) nanostructures and also evaluates their potential applications as electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs). The X-ray diffraction and photoelectron studies conducted in this research reveal the conversion of hexagonal WO into hexagonal WS nanosheets, accompanied by changes in oxidation states.

Ferroelectric-semiconductor BaTiO-AgO nanohybrid as an efficient piezo-photocatalytic material.

Piezo-photocatalysis is a new concept of utilizing nanohybrids comprising piezoelectric and photocatalytic materials for enhancement in advanced oxidation process under the presence of light and mechanical energy. In this study, we explored the effectiveness of piezo-photocatalysis via examining their catalytic activity towards the degradation of azo dye (Rhodamine-B) and standard pollutant (Phenol) catalyzed by ferroelectric-semiconductor (BaTiO-AgO) nanohybrids. Further, the enhancement in piezo-photocatalysis has been achieved via persulfate activation and the role of free radicals was examined by quenchers.