Pulsed-Current Operation Enhances HO Production on a Boron-Doped Diamond Mesh Anode in a Zero-Gap PEM Electrolyzer.

A niobium (Nb) mesh electrode was coated with boron-doped diamond (BDD) using chemical vapor deposition in a custom-built hot-filament reactor. The BDD-functionalized mesh was tested in a zero-gap electrolysis configuration and evaluated for the anodic formation of HO by selective oxidation of water, including the analysis of the effects on Faradaic efficiency towards HO (FEH2O2) induced by pulsed electrolysis. A low electrolyte flow rate (V⋅) was found to result in a relatively high concentration of HO in single-pass electrolysis experiments.

Enhanced Catalytic Probe Design for Mapping Radical Density in the Plasma Afterglow.

The electrification of chemical processes using plasma generates an increasing demand for sensors, monitoring concentrations of plasma-activated species such as radicals. Radical probes are a low-cost in situ method for spatially resolved quantification of the radical density in a plasma afterglow using the heat from the exothermal recombination of radicals on a catalytic surface. However, distinguishing recombination heating from other heat fluxes in the system is challenging.

Solar Light CO Photoreduction Enhancement by Mononuclear Rhenium(I) Complexes: Characterization and Mechanistic Insights.

The catalytic efficacy of a novel mononuclear rhenium(I) complex in CO reduction is remarkable, with a turnover number (TON) of 1517 in 3 h, significantly outperforming previous Re(I) catalysts. This complex, synthesized via a substitution reaction on an aromatic ring to form a bromo-bipyridine derivative, = 2-bromo-6-(1-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine, and further reacting with [Re(CO)Cl], results in the facial-tricarbonyl complex [ReL1(CO)Cl] (). The light green solid was obtained with an 80% yield and thoroughly characterized using cyclic voltammetry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy.

Unraveling NO Production in N-O Plasmas with 0D Kinetic Modeling and Experimental Validation.

This work presents a detailed investigation aimed at understanding the key mechanisms governing nitric oxide (NO) production in N-O discharges by systematically comparing experimental results to modeling data. The experimental phase capitalizes on radiofrequency (13.56 MHz) discharges, sustained at 5 mbar pressure conditions, featuring varying concentrations of oxygen, ranging from pure N plasma to air-like mixtures.

Exploring novel circulating biomarkers for liver cancer through extracellular vesicle characterization with infrared spectroscopy and plasmonics.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, with cirrhosis being a major risk factor. Traditional blood markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) demonstrate limited efficacy in distinguishing between HCC and cirrhosis, underscoring the need for more effective diagnostic methodologies. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising candidates; however, their practical diagnostic application is restricted by the current lack of label-free methods to accurately profile their molecular content.

Unraveling the Role of the Stoichiometry of Atomic Layer Deposited Nickel Cobalt Oxides on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Nickel cobalt oxides (NCOs) are promising, non-precious oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. However, the stoichiometry-dependent electrochemical behavior makes it crucial to understand the structure-OER relationship. In this work, NCO thin film model systems are prepared using atomic layer deposition.

Climbing the Hydrogen Evolution Volcano with a NiTi Shape Memory Alloy.

Alkaline water electrolysis is a sustainable way to produce green hydrogen using renewable electricity. Even though the rates of the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are 2-3 orders of magnitude less under alkaline conditions than under acidic conditions, the possibility of using non-precious metal catalysts makes alkaline HER appealing. We identify a novel and facile route for substantially improving HER performance via the use of commercially available NiTi shape memory alloys, which upon heating undergo a phase transformation from the monoclinic martensite to the cubic austenite structure.

Scaling up BiVO Photoanodes on Porous Ti Transport Layers for Solar Hydrogen Production.

Commercialization of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting devices requires the development of large-area, low-cost photoanodes with high efficiency and photostability. Herein, we address these challenges by using scalable fabrication techniques and porous transport layer (PTLs) electrode supports. We demonstrate the deposition of W-doped BiVO on Ti PTLs using successive-ionic-layer-adsorption-and-reaction methods followed by boron treatment and chemical bath deposition of NiFeOOH co-catalyst.

An Efficient Strategy for Electroreduction Reactor Outlet Fractioning into Valuable Products.

In this work, two industrial dual-step pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes were designed and simulated to obtain high-purity methane, CO, and syngas from a gas effluent of a CO electroreduction reactor using different design configurations. Among the set of zeolites that was investigated using Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, NaX and MFI were the ones selected. The dual-PSA process for case study 1 is only capable of achieving a 90.

First-principles study of the magnetic exchange forces between the RuO (110) surface and Fe tip.

Magnetic exchange force microscopy (MExFM) is an important experimental technique for mapping the magnetic structure of surfaces with atomic resolution relying on the spin-dependent short-range exchange interaction between a magnetic tip and a magnetic surface. RuO is a significant compound with applications in heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis. It has been characterized recently as an antiferromagnetic (AFM) material, and its magnetism has been predicted somewhat surprisingly to play an important role in its catalytic properties.

Methanol Oxidation at Platinum Coated Black Titania Nanotubes and Titanium Felt Electrodes.

Optimized Pt-based methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) anodes are essential for commercial direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and methanol electrolyzers for hydrogen production. High surface area Ti supports are known to increase Pt catalytic activity and utilization. Pt has been deposited on black titania nanotubes (bTNTs), Ti felts and, for comparison, Ti foils by a galvanic deposition process, whereby Pt(IV) from a chloroplatinate solution is spontaneously reduced to metallic Pt (at 65 °C) onto chemically reduced (by CaH) TNTs (resulting in bTNTs), chemically etched (HCl + NaF) Ti felts and grinded Ti foils.

Development of Electrode-Supported Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Cells and their Evaluation as Electrochemical Hydrogen Pumps.

Protonic ceramic solid oxide cells (P-SOCs) have gained widespread attention due to their potential for operation in the temperature range of 300-500 °C, which is not only beneficial in terms of material stability but also offers unique possibilities from a thermodynamic point of view to realize a series of reactions. For instance, they are ideal for the production of synthetic fuels by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, upgradation of hydrocarbons, or dehydrogenation reactions. However, the development of P-SOC is quite challenging because it requires a multifront optimization in terms of material synthesis and fabrication procedures.

Optical Properties of Colloidal Silver Nanowires.

Silver nanowires are used in many applications, ranging from transparent conductive layers to Raman substrates and sensors. Their performance often relies on their unique optical properties that emerge from localized surface plasmon resonances in the ultraviolet. To tailor the nanowire geometry for a specific application, a correct understanding of the relationship between the wire's structure and its optical properties is therefore necessary.

Challenges of modeling nanostructured materials for photocatalytic water splitting.

Understanding the water splitting mechanism in photocatalysis is a rewarding goal as it will allow producing clean fuel for a sustainable life in the future. However, identifying the photocatalytic mechanisms by modeling photoactive nanoparticles requires sophisticated computational techniques based on multiscale modeling. In this review, we will survey the strengths and drawbacks of currently available theoretical methods at different length and accuracy scales.

OPTIMADE, an API for exchanging materials data.

The Open Databases Integration for Materials Design (OPTIMADE) consortium has designed a universal application programming interface (API) to make materials databases accessible and interoperable. We outline the first stable release of the specification, v1.0, which is already supported by many leading databases and several software packages.

Development of an 11-channel multi wavelength imaging diagnostic for divertor plasmas in MAST Upgrade.

Divertor detachment and alternative divertor magnetic geometries are predicted to be promising approaches to handle the power exhaust of future fusion devices. In order to understand the detachment process caused by volumetric losses in alternative divertor magnetic geometries, a Multi-Wavelength Imaging (MWI) diagnostic has recently been designed and built for the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade. The MWI diagnostic will simultaneously capture 11 spectrally filtered images of the visible light emitted from divertor plasmas and provide crucial knowledge for the interpretation of observations and modeling efforts.

Microstructure Study of Pulsed Laser Beam Welded Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened (ODS) Eurofer Steel.

Oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) Eurofer steel was laser welded using a short pulse duration and a designed pattern to minimise local heat accumulation. With a laser power of 2500 W and a duration of more than 3 ms, a full penetration can be obtained in a 1 mm thick plate. Material loss was observed in the fusion zone due to metal vaporisation, which can be fully compensated by the use of filler material.

Tailoring the Performance of ZnO for Oxygen Evolution by Effective Transition Metal Doping.

In the quest for active and inexpensive (photo)electrocatalysts, atomistic simulations of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential for understanding the catalytic process of water splitting at solid surfaces. In this paper, the enhancement of the OER by first-row transition-metal (TM) doping of the abundant semiconductor ZnO was studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a substantial number of possible structures and bonding geometries. The calculated overpotential for undoped ZnO was 1.

Tailoring the Surface Chemistry of Anion Exchange Membranes with Zwitterions: Toward Antifouling RED Membranes.

Fouling is a pressing issue for harvesting salinity gradient energy with reverse electrodialysis (RED). In this work, antifouling membranes were fabricated by surface modification of a commercial anion exchange membrane with zwitterionic layers. Either zwitterionic monomers or zwitterionic brushes were applied on the surface.

A multiscale modelling approach to elucidate the mechanism of the oxygen evolution reaction at the hematite-water interface.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water to make hydrogen is a promising clean-energy technology. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) largely determines the energy efficiency in PEC water-splitting. Hematite, which is a cheap and sustainable semiconductor material with excellent chemical properties, a favourable band gap (2.

Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation Enables Designer Redox Flow Battery Electrodes.

Porous carbonaceous electrodes are performance-defining components in redox flow batteries (RFBs), where their properties impact the efficiency, cost, and durability of the system. The overarching challenge is to simultaneously fulfill multiple seemingly contradictory requirements-i.e.

Single Particle Approaches to Plasmon-Driven Catalysis.

Plasmonic nanoparticles have recently emerged as a promising platform for photocatalysis thanks to their ability to efficiently harvest and convert light into highly energetic charge carriers and heat. The catalytic properties of metallic nanoparticles, however, are typically measured in ensemble experiments. These measurements, while providing statistically significant information, often mask the intrinsic heterogeneity of the catalyst particles and their individual dynamic behavior.