Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Platinum-Based Nanocrystals and Their Electrocatalytic Applications in Fuel Cells

To achieve environmentally benign energy conversion with the carbon neutrality target via electrochemical reactions, the innovation of electrocatalysts plays a vital role in the enablement of renewable resources. Nowadays, Pt-based nanocrystals (NCs) have been identified as one class of the most promising candidates to efficiently catalyze both the half-reactions in hydrogen- and hydrocarbon-based fuel cells. Here, we thoroughly discuss the key achievement in developing shape-controlled Pt and Pt-based NCs, and their electrochemical applications in fuel cells. We begin with a mechanistic discussion on how the morphology can be precisely controlled in a colloidal system, followed by highlighting the advanced development of shape-controlled Pt, Pt-alloy, Pt-based core@shell NCs, Pt-based nanocages, and Pt-based intermetallic compounds. We then select some case studies on models of typical reactions (oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode and small molecular oxidation reaction at the anode) that are enhanced by the shape-controlled Pt-based nanocatalysts. Finally, we provide an outlook on the potential challenges of shape-controlled nanocatalysts and envision their perspective with suggestions.

Shape-controlled synthesis of Ni-based metal-organic frameworks with albizia flower-like spheres@nanosheets structure for high performance supercapacitors

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as very promising positive electrode materials for supercapacitors. To achieve good electrochemical performance, in this work, we report a mixed-ligand approach to prepare modified Ni-MOF by using trimesic acid (BTC) as the modulator to partially replace the terephthalic acid (PTA) ligands. The introduction of BTC can induce the formation of nanosheets with inserted albizia flower-like spheres, where the nanowires on the albizia flower-like spheres can provide rich redox reaction sites and the "spacer" spheres between the layers can hinder the aggregation of the 2D nanosheets to provide fast transport pathways. Moreover, adsorption simulation shows that the adsorption energy of OH^- on the mixed organic ligands is increased after introducing the BTC ligands, which may improve the reversible redox reaction kinetics in the electrode materials. The as-obtained albizia flower-like spheres@nanosheets structured Ni-MOF with the optimized amount of BTC exhibits a high capacitance of 920 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1, good rate capability of 61% at 20 A g^-1, and an excellent cycling stability in 6 M KOH electrolyte. This work may provide helpful guidance for controlling the structure and surface property of MOFs to improve the electrochemical performance for supercapacitors.

Sequence-Specific Control of Inorganic Nanomaterials Morphologies by Biomolecules

Controlling morphologies of nanomaterials such as their shapes and surface features has been a major endeavor in the field of nanoscale science and engineering, because the morphology is a major determining factor for functional properties of nanomaterials. Compared with conventional capping ligands based on organic molecules or polymers, the programmability of biomolecules makes them attractive alternatives for morphology-controlled nanomaterials synthesis. Towards the goal of predictable control of the synthesis, many studies have been performed on using different sequences of biomolecules to generate specific nanomaterial morphology. In this review, we summarize recent studies in the past few years on using DNA and peptide sequences to control inorganic nanomaterial morphologies, focusing on both case studies and mechanistic investigations. The functional properties resulting from such a sequence-specific control are also discussed, along with strengths and limitations of different approaches to achieving the goal.

Constructing Highly Porous Thermoelectric Monoliths with High-Performance and Improved Portability from Solution-Synthesized Shape-Controlled Nanocrystals

Thermoelectricity offers a viable and reliable solution to convert waste heat into electricity. To enhance the performance and portability of thermoelectric materials, the crystal grain and pore structure should be simultaneously manipulated to achieve high electrical conductivity (σ), low thermal conductivity (κ), high figure of merit (zT), and low relative density. However, they cannot be synchronously realized using nanocrystals with uncontrolled domain size and shape as building blocks. Here, we employ solution-synthesized PbS nanocrystals with large grain size, controllable shape and tunable spatial packing to realize the aforementioned structural tuning. The as-sintered highly porous and well crystalline monolith exhibits high σ, low κ, high zT (1.06 at 838 K) and low relative density (82%). The phonon transport is studied by density functional theory highlighting the crucial role of phonon-pore scattering in reducing κ to enhance zT. Our strategy may benefit thermoelectrics and shed light on other technical fields such as catalysis, gas sensing, photovoltaics, and so forth.

Shape-controlled Pt nanocubes directly grown on carbon supports and their electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Synthesis of shape-controlled Pt nanocrystals is substantial and important for enhancing chemical and electrochemical reactions. However, the removal of capping agents, shape-controlling chemicals, on Pt surfaces is essential prior to conducting the catalytic reactions. Here we report a facile one-pot synthesis of Pt nanocubes directly grown on carbon supports (Pt nanocubes/C) with modulating the kinetic reaction factors for shaping the nanocrystals, but without adding any capping agents for preserving the clean Pt surfaces. Well-dispersed Pt nanocubes/C shows enhanced activity and long-term stability toward methanol oxidation reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

Shape-controlled high cell-density microcapsules by electrodeposition

Cell encapsulation within alginate-poly-l-lysine (PLL) microcapsules has been developed to provide a miniaturized three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment with an aqueous core while promoting development of encapsulated cells into high cell-density structures. In this paper, a novel method for fabricating shape-controlled alginate-PLL microcapsules to construct 3D cell structures based on electrodeposition method is provided. Two-dimensional Ca-alginate cell-laden gel membranes were electrodeposited onto a micro-patterned electrode and further detached from the electrode. The PLL was coated onto the gel structures to form alginate-PLL complex as an outer shell and sodium citric solution was utilized to melt the internal alginate to achieve miniaturized 3D microcapsules (sphere, cuboid, and rod shape). By this proposed method, rat liver cells (RLC-18) formed multi-cellular aggregates with high cell-density after cultivation for 2weeks.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The use of alginate-poly-l-lysine (PLL) microcapsules has shown great potential in fabricating 3D cell structures with high cell density. Despite their success related to their ability to provide a miniaturized microenvironment with an aqueous core, alginate-PLL microcapsules has drawback such as a limited shape-control ability. Because of the mechanism of Ca-induced alginate gel formation, it is still difficult to precisely control the gelation process to produce alginate-PLL microcapsules with specific shape. The present study provides an electrodeposition-based method to generate shape-controlled microcapsules for 3D cell structures. Sphere, cuboid, and rod shaped microcapsules of RLC-18 cells were produced for long-term culture to obtain desired morphologies of cell aggregates.