Electroreduction of oxygen on palladium nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets

ZIF-67 Derivative Decorated MXene for a Highly Integrated Flexible Self-Powered Photodetector

The rapid development of portable and wearable electronics has promoted the integration of multifunction techniques. Although flexible energy storage systems have been successfully investigated, the compact configuration with photodetector and energy storage components has received less attention. As a new member of the 2D material class, MXene exhibits remarkable electronic and optical properties. Here, through the intentional introduction of ZIF-67 derivatives deposited on the Mo₂CT_x nanosheets, the synthesized Co-CoO_x/NC/Mo₂CT_x heterostructure not only provided a straightforward pathway for photogenerated electrons to transport but also enhanced the structural stability of Mo₂CT_x, leading to a high responsivity and short rise/decay time under the illumination of simulated light in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) configuration. The integrated flexible device based on a zinc ion battery and Co-CoO_x/NC/Mo₂CT_x heterostructure shows outstanding photodetection function and retains the intrinsic charge/discharge behaviors, which could monitor 1 day sunlight changes in real time. The paradigm presented here paves the way for realizing the development of miniaturization and multifunction toward next-generation portable and wearable technologies.

Oxygen reduction reaction on Pd nanocatalysts prepared by plasma-assisted synthesis on different carbon nanomaterials

In this work He/H₂ plasma jet treatment was used to reduce Pd ions in the aqueous solution with simultaneous deposition of created Pd nanoparticles to support materials. Graphene oxide (GO) and nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (NrGO) were both co-reduced with the Pd ions to formulate catalyst materials. Pd catalyst was also deposited on the surface of carbon black. The prepared catalyst materials were physically characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The plasma jet method yielded good dispersion of small Pd particles with average sizes of particles being: Pd/rGO 2.9 ± 0.6 nm, Pd/NrGO 2.3 ± 0.5 nm and Pd/Vulcan 2.8 ± 0.6 nm. The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics was explored using the rotating disk electrode method. Pd catalyst deposited on nitrogen-doped graphene material showed slightly improved ORR activity as compared to that on the nondoped substrate, however Vulcan carbon-supported Pd catalyst exhibited a higher specific activity for oxygen electroreduction.

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles by Microorganisms

Metal nanoparticles (NPs), with sizes ranging from 1–100 nm, are of great scientific interest because their functions and features differ greatly from those of bulk metal. Chemical or physical methods are used to synthesize commercial quantities of NPs, and green, energy-efficient approaches generating byproducts of low toxicity are desirable to minimize the environmental impact of the industrial methods. Some microorganisms synthesize metal NPs for detoxification and metabolic reasons at room temperature and pressure in aqueous solution. Metal NPs have been prepared via green methods by incubating microorganisms or cell-free extracts of microorganisms with dissolved metal ions for hours or days. Metal NPs are analyzed using various techniques, such as ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Numerous publications have focused on microorganisms that synthesize various metal NPs. For example, Ag, Au, CdS, CdSe, Cu, CuO, Gd2O3, Fe3O4, PbS, Pd, Sb2O3, TiO2, and ZrO2 NPs have been reported. Herein, we review the synthesis of metal NPs by microorganisms. Although the molecular mechanisms of their synthesis have been investigated to some extent, experimental evidence for the mechanisms is limited. Understanding the mechanisms is crucial for industrial-scale development of microorganism-synthesized metal NPs.

Synthesis and Electrochemical Study of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Based Nanomaterials for Energy Applications

Graphene is an attractive soft material for various applications due to its unique and exclusive properties. The processing and preservation of 2D graphene at large scales is challenging due to its inherent propensity for layer restacking. Three-dimensional graphene-based nanomaterials (3D-GNMs) preserve their structures while improving processability along with providing enhanced characteristics, which exhibit some notable advantages over 2D graphene. This feature article presents recent trends in the fabrication and characterization of 3D-GNMs toward the study of their morphologies, structures, functional groups, and chemical compositions using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Owing to the attractive properties of 3D-GNMs, which include high surface areas, porous structures, improved electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, and robust structures, they have generated tremendous interest for various applications such as energy storage, sensors, and energy conversion. This article summarizes the most recent advances in electrochemical applications of 3D-GNMs, pertaining to energy storage, where they can serve as supercapacitor electrode materials and energy conversion as oxygen reduction reaction catalysts, along with an outlook.

Role of Nitrogen Moieties in N-Doped 3D-Graphene Nanosheets for Oxygen Electroreduction in Acidic and Alkaline Media

This study elucidates the synthesis-structure-property correlations of nitrogen moieties present in nitrogen-functionalized graphene nanomaterials toward oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) and their electrochemical pathways in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. Porous three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (N/3D-GNSs) were fabricated using the sacrificial support method and doped with nitrogen using 10 atom % NH₃ under thermal pyrolysis at T = 650, 850, and 1050 °C for evaluating the nitrogen species formed under different temperatures. The abundances of the various nitrogen species formed under pyrolytic conditions were evaluated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Using rotating ring-disk electrode, we analyzed the role played by the nitrogen moieties influencing the electrochemical activity of the N/3D-GNS supports for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) in both acidic and alkaline media. It was demonstrated that the concentrations of the nitrogen moieties: graphitic-N, quaternary, hydrogenated-N (hydrogenated nitrogen combined pyrrolic nitrogen and hydrogenated pyridine) and pyridinic-N varied considerably with pyrolysis temperatures. A decrease in graphitic-N content and an increase in the ratio of hydrogenated-N/pyridinic-N significantly improved the activity of the material. The half-wave and onset potentials as well as the current densities and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)/(HO₂^-) yields of the N/3D-GNS materials also varied between acidic and alkaline electrolytes but followed the general trend in terms of pyrolysis temperatures and abundance of the nitrogen moieties. Among the synthesized materials, the 3D-graphene nanosheets that were doped with nitrogen at 850 °C, optimized to have the highest hydrogenated-N and lowest pyridinic-N as well as better catalyst-ionomer integration, showed the highest ORR performance. This strategy for the tunable synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphene materials with controlled nitrogen functionalization offers a platform for developing active supports or catalytic nanomaterials for fuel cell applications.

Electrochemical behavior of amaranth and its sensitive determination based on Pd-doped polyelectrolyte functionalized graphene modified electrode

In this work, poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)-functionalized graphene supported palladium nanoparticles (Pd) composites were fabricated with simple ultrasonic bath method. The morphology and structure of PSS-GR-Pd composites were characterized using UV-vis absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. By combining the merits of the PSS-GR and Pd NPs, a new electrochemical sensor was erected to detect amaranth based on the PSS-GR-Pd nanocomposites. The electrochemical behavior of amaranth was investigated systematically in 0.1molL^-1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS 2.0). At the optimum parameter, I_pa was found to be linearly dependent on the concentrations of amaranth (1×10^-7-9×10^-6molL^-1). The detection limit was 7nM (S/N=3) and sensitivity was 5.85μAμM^-1. Finally, this system was utilized for determining amaranth in soft drink using the standard addition method.

Rapid production of Pd nanoparticle by a marine electrochemically active bacterium Shewanella sp. CNZ-1 and its catalytic performance on 4-nitrophenol reduction

Microbial recovery of Pd through Pd(ii) reduction is emerging as a clean alternative to traditional physical and chemical reclaiming treatments.

Removal of halogenated emerging contaminants from water by nitrogen-doped graphene decorated with palladium nanoparticles: Experimental investigation and theoretical analysis

The removal performance and mechanisms of halogenated emerging contaminants from water by palladium decorated nitrogen-doped graphene (Pd/NG) were investigated in this study. For comparison, three catalysts of Pd/NG, palladium decorated graphene (Pd/G) and commercial Pd/C were initially explored to degrade tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). After that, the influence of various environmental parameters on TBBPA removal by the Pd/NG catalyst was evaluated. Moreover, both Langmuir-Hinshelwood model and density functional theory (DFT) were adopted to theoretically elucidate the adsorption and the activation of TBBPA on the catalyst. The results show that the apparent rate constant of TBBPA dehalogenation was increased by 26.7% and 39.0% in the presence of the Pd/NG catalyst compared to the Pd/G and Pd/C ones. Higher temperature, catalyst dosage and alkaline conditions resulted in the enhancement of TBBPA dehalogenation by the Pd/NG catalyst, while humic acid in the solution had a negatively effect on the transformation of TBBPA. The corresponding rate constant value exhibited a 2.1- and 1.8-fold increase with the rise of temperature from 298 to 328 K and initial pH from 6.5 to 9.0, respectively. On the contrary, the rate constant was decreased by 78.9% in the presence of 15 mg L(-1) humic acid. Theoretical analysis revealed that both adsorption and activation processes of TBBPA on the Pd/NG catalyst were enhanced through the N doping into graphene framework.

A Simple Green Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles with Sargassum Alga and Their Electrocatalytic Activities Towards Hydrogen Peroxide

This study presents the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) using the extract derived from the marine alga, Sargassum bovinum, collected from Persian Gulf area. Water-soluble compounds that exist in the marine alga extract were the main cause of the reduction of palladium ions to Pd nanoparticles. The basic properties of PdNPs produced in this method were confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). TEM confirmed the monodispersed and octahedral shape of PdNPs within the size ranges from 5 to 10 nm. Catalytic performance of the biosynthetic PdNPs was investigated by electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). PdNP-modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (PdNPs/CILE) was developed as a nonenzymatic sensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide. Amperometric measurements showed that PdNPs/CILE is a reliable sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide in the range of 5.0 μM-15.0 mM with a sensitivity of 284.35 mAmM(-1) cm(-2) and a detection limit of 1.0 μM. Moreover, PdNPs/CILE exhibits a wide linear range, high sensitivity and selectivity, and excellent stability for the detection of H2O2 in aqueous solutions.

Investigation of the activity and stability of Pd-based catalysts towards the oxygen reduction (ORR) and evolution reactions (OER) in iron–air batteries

Palladium on carbon has proved to be a suitable bi-functional catalyst for application in the air electrode of a metal–air battery.

A tungsten carbide/iron sulfide/FePt nanocomposite supported on nitrogen-doped carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Novel multi-component WC/FeS/FePt/NC electrocatalysts with excellent mass activity and superior durability are developed for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells.

High stability and superior catalytic reactivity of nitrogen-doped graphene supporting Pt nanoparticles as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction: a density functional theory study

We investigated the structural and electronic properties of Pt₁₃ nanoparticles on various nitrogen (N)-doped graphene and their interaction with O by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.