Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Maniprakundil Neeshma, Santoshkumar D. Bhat
Summary: Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) with fast and selective ionic transport at low relative humidity have high demand for energy conversion devices. In this study, tungsten semi-carbide (W2C@NC) was synthesized and incorporated into a short side chain (SSC)-based membrane matrix to improve water holding and humidification for hydrogen fuel cells. The addition of W2C@NC facilitated membrane hydration and prevented fuel crossover across the membrane, leading to improved fuel cell performance even under low relative humidity conditions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nedjeljko Seselj, Silvia M. M. Alfaro, Eftychia Bompolaki, Lars N. N. Cleemann, Tomas Torres, Kobra Azizi
Summary: The constant increase in global emission standards has led to the importance of fuel cell (FC) technology. Research in the past two decades has focused on developing more active catalysts for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) and improving their durability. Two main approaches have been suggested: alloying platinum (Pt) with low-cost transition metals to reduce Pt usage, and developing novel catalyst supports to enhance metal particle anchoring and inhibit corrosion phenomena. This comprehensive review details the recent development of platinum group metal (PGM) and platinum group metal free (PGM-free) catalysts, as well as alternative carbon (C) supports for HT-PEMFCs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Juan C. Ortiz-Herrera, Miriam M. Tellez-Cruz, Omar Solorza-Feria, Dora Medina
Summary: A simple and controlled chemical synthesis method was developed to produce PtNi nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using various techniques. The experimental results showed that the PtNi/CNT catalyst exhibited higher specific activity and slightly lower mass activity compared to the commercial catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Iris Palm, Elo Kibena-Poldsepp, Marek Mooste, Jekaterina Kozlova, Maike Kaarik, Arvo Kikas, Alexey Treshchalov, Jaan Leis, Vambola Kisand, Aile Tamm, Steven Holdcroft, Plamen Atanassov, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: The preparation of dual heteroatom-doped SiCDC/CNT catalysts for ORR exhibited high catalytic activity and impressive performance in AEMFC tests, attributed to their high specific surface area, hierarchical porosity, high defect density, and successful doping of N and P elements.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yinlong Wu, Guofeng Liang, Di Chen, Zilong Li, Jinchang Xu, Guoju Huang, Muzi Yang, Hao Zhang, Jian Chen, Fangyan Xie, Yanshuo Jin, Nan Wang, Shuhui Sun, Hui Meng
Summary: Fe-N-C catalysts have the potential to substitute noble metal catalysts. The Fe-N-4 moiety doped carbon nanotube catalyst prepared by two-step pyrolysis shows high ORR catalytic performance and stability in PEMFC, indicating a promising method for designing high catalytic activity FeNC catalysts for H-2-O-2 PEMFCs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seansoo Hwang, HyeonGyeong Lee, Yu-Gyeong Jeong, Chanhee Choi, Inhyeok Hwang, SeungHyeon Song, Sang Yong Nam, Jin Hong Lee, Kihyun Kim
Summary: In order to address the dependence on fossil fuels and global warming issues, research has focused on developing eco-friendly energy conversion devices. Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), as a key component in PEMFCs, should have high proton conductivity and excellent physicochemical stability. Incorporating organic/inorganic fillers into the polymer matrix is an effective method to control the properties of the PEM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Si Li, Anxiang Guan, Chao Yang, Chen Peng, Ximeng Lv, Yali Ji, Yueli Quan, Qihao Wang, Lijuan Zhang, Gengfeng Zheng
Summary: The study introduces a dual metal atomic catalyst with Cu-Cu atoms demonstrating high efficiency and selectivity in CO electroreduction to C2+ products, while the Cu-Ni atoms mainly convert CO to CH4.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Nur Ain Masleeza Harun, Norazuwana Shaari, Zatil Amali Che Ramli
Summary: Fuel cells are the most promising alternative green and clean energy source in the future due to their low carbon emissions. Researchers have made efforts to develop materials that can reduce the cost of fuel cells. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is frequently mentioned in fuel cell applications because of its unique features.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yulin Wang, Chao Guan, Penghui Zhang, Tingting Zhu, Shixue Wang, Yu Zhu, Xiaodong Wang
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of newly designed baffle plates with different parameters on the performance and characteristics of a fuel cell. The results show that these baffle plates significantly improve oxygen diffusion and water transport, leading to higher power density and energy efficiency of the fuel cell.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zulfi Al Rasyid Gautama, Yasir Arafat Hutapea, Byungchan Hwang, Junko Matsuda, Albert Mufundirwa, Takeharu Sugiyama, Miho Ariyoshi, Shigenori Fujikawa, Stephen Matthew Lyth, Akari Hayashi, Kazunari Sasaki, Masamichi Nishihara
Summary: By sandwiching a high oxygen barrier interlayer between two Nafion 211 membranes, radical formation in PEFC can be effectively reduced, improving its chemical durability.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fang Liu, Xinquan Zhang, Xiaolong Zhang, Linlin Wang, Minmin Liu, Jiujun Zhang
Summary: The nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes-encapsulated cobalt nanoparticles synthesized using a dual-template strategy show excellent ORR performance, attributed to their unique structure, nitrogen doping, large surface area, and synergistic effect between graphitic carbon layer and cobalt nanoparticles.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Yusra Nadzirah Yusoff, Norazuwana Shaari
Summary: Fuel cell technology has matured and efforts towards commercialization have been prioritized for both stationary and portable applications, with a focus on strong, durable, and cost-effective material technology. The catalyst and proton exchange membrane are crucial components in a fuel cell, requiring high catalytic activity, proton conductivity, and other specific characteristics. Nanofiber materials, with their unique nanostructure, have been investigated for use in fuel cells, showcasing benefits and challenges for the electrospinning technique.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Wooyeol Lee, Wonseok Yang, Yongchan Kim
Summary: By studying the effect of low magnetic field density, it was found that a magnetic field can improve the oxygen reduction reaction performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The magnetic field enhances oxygen mobility and accelerates membrane humidification, resulting in improved performance. The improvement is more significant under unfavorable humidification conditions.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jorge Pavel Victoria Tafoya, Szymon Doszczeczko, Maria Magdalena Titirici, Ana B. Jorge Sobrido
Summary: The study demonstrates that ultrasonication treatment can enhance the oxygen reduction reaction performance of boron-doped reduced graphene oxide by increasing substitutional boron, electrocatalytic surface area, and reducing pore size.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yezhou Hu, Jujia Zhang, Tao Shen, Yun Lu, Ke Chen, Zhengkai Tu, Shanfu Lu, Deli Wang
Summary: This study presents a low-temperature carbon encapsulation strategy to enhance the durability of Pt-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, improving stability and resistance to poisoning gases. By minimizing catalyst layer thickness and reducing mass transfer resistance, high mass loading Pt@C/C was successfully prepared and applied in high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, achieving a peak power density of 662 mW cm(-2) at 160 degrees C.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rasmus Palm, Riinu Harmas, Eneli Hark, Ben Kent, Heisi Kurig, Miriam Koppel, Margarita Russina, Indrek Tallo, Tavo Romann, Jitendra Mata, Kenneth Tuul, Enn Lust
Summary: The study explored the impact of synthesis conditions on the formation of porous and graphitic structures of carbon materials, showing that lower synthesis temperatures result in predominantly nano-scale cylindrical geometries, while higher temperatures promote the formation of slit-like structures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
O. Korjus, P. Moller, K. Kooser, T. Kaambre, O. Volobujeva, J. Nerut, S. Kotkas, E. Lust, G. Nurk
Summary: Ni-doping in LSCT fuel electrode significantly influences catalytic activity, stability, and cation mobility, leading to reduced polarization resistance, stabilized structure, suppressed element migration, and avoidance of key issues.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Konstantin Schutjajew, Paolo Giusto, Eneli Haerk, Martin Oschatz
Summary: The sodium-ion battery shows promise as a successor to the lithium-ion battery, but its energy density is limited by the anode. Understanding the relationship between material properties and sodium storage lags behind materials development. There is debate over the role of closed pores in carbons in sodium storage.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marion A. Flatken, Eros Radicchi, Robert Wendt, Ana Guilherme Buzanich, Eneli Haerk, Jorge Pascual, Florian Mathies, Oleksandra Shargaieva, Albert Prause, Andre Dallmann, Filippo De Angelis, Armin Hoell, Antonio Abate
Summary: ABX(3) metal halide perovskites have revolutionized the development of new optoelectronics, and controlling the chemistry of precursor solutions is crucial for managing the film morphology and colloidal stability.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
T. Thomberg, P. Ramah, A. Lust, J. Nerut, M. Koppel, T. Romann, R. Palm, M. Mansson, N. M. Flores March, H. Junninen, M. Kulaviir, P. Paiste, K. Kirsimae, M. Punapart, L. Viru, A. Merits, E. Lust
Summary: Nanowire PVDF polymer membranes activated with Ag and Zn nanoclusters were prepared using the electrospinning method. The structure of membranes was varied by adjusting polymer concentrations, electric field strength, and nanocluster concentrations. The concentration of Ag and Zn nanoclusters in the membranes affected the activity of the nanofibers. The nanofibers activated with Zn nanoclusters showed significantly higher and concentration-independent virucidal activity compared to those activated with Ag nanoclusters.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dongjiu Xie, Yaolin Xu, Yonglei Wang, Xuefeng Pan, Eneli Hark, Zdravko Kochovski, Alberto Eljarrat, Johannes Muller, Christoph T. Koch, Jiayin Yuan, Yan Lu
Summary: This article introduces a method for synthesizing heteroatom-doped carbon materials using poly(ionic liquid) as precursors. Polydopamine coating and ion exchange were used to successfully apply imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid) nanovesicles in morphology-maintaining carbonization, preparing carbon composite nanocapsules. The strategy was further extended to synthesize carbon composite nanocapsules functionalized with iron nitride nanoparticles. This well-crafted composite nanostructure effectively mitigated the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides in Li-S batteries, showing excellent electrochemical performance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rauno Lust, Jaak Nerut, Sharvari S. Gadegaonkar, Kuno Kasak, Mikk Espenberg, Triinu Visnapuu, Uelo Mander
Summary: Microbial electrosynthesis is a promising solution for removing low concentrations of nitrate from water. The study found that the design of a single-chamber reactor saves on construction costs and provides more stable pH levels in the solution. The optimal electrode potential achieved the highest Faradaic efficiency and nitrate removal rate. Additionally, the process was driven by denitrification, and the microbial electrosynthesis reactor can be effectively used to purify water sources when adding organic compounds as electron donors is not feasible.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miriam Koppel, Rasmus Palm, Riinu Harmas, Margarita Russina, Veronika Grzimek, Jacek Jagiello, Maarja Paalo, Heisi Kurig, Martin Mansson, Ove Oll, Enn Lust
Summary: This study investigates the self-diffusion mechanisms of adsorbed H2 in different porous structures using in situ quasielastic neutron scattering method. The results show that H2 adsorbed in nanometer-scale pores self-diffuses in two distinguishable timescales, and the pore shape, pore wall shape, and corrugation have an effect on the fraction of confined and mobile H2. The difference in self-diffusional properties of the two H2 components is smaller in smoother-walled pores, which is attributed to the effect of pore wall corrugation on the homogeneity of formed adsorbed layers.
Article
Electrochemistry
H. Q. Nguyen, J. Nerut, H. Kasuk, V Grozovski, T. Thomberg, I Tallo, R. Palm, M. Koppel, T. Romann, R. Harmas, J. Aruvali, M. Kulaviir, E. Lust
Summary: This study investigated the potential of chromium carbide-derived carbons as support materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell catalyst. The results showed that the synthesis temperature significantly influenced the carbon crystallographic structure and pore characteristics, indicating the suitability of the studied carbons as catalyst supports.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Electrochemistry
Piret Pikma, Heigo Ers, Liis Siinor, Jinfeng Zhao, Ove Oll, Tavo Romann, Vitali Grozovski, Carolin Siimenson, Mart Vaartnou, Maarja Paalo, Riinu Harmas, Karmen Lust, Thomas Thomberg, Alar Janes, Jaak Nerut, Rutha Jager, Peeter Valk, Indrek Kivi, Martin Maide, Priit Moller, Rait Kanarbik, Gunnar Nurk, Enn Lust
Summary: Nowadays, electrochemistry has various faces and challenges. Although applied electrochemistry has become the main focus, it is important to acknowledge that a comprehensive understanding of the electrochemical processes at the electrode and electrolyte interface is essential for developing novel green energy transition devices. This review provides an overview of the systematic research in the field of electrochemistry in Estonia, highlighting the collaboration between fundamental and applied electrochemistry.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Huy Qui Vinh Nguyen, Jaak Nerut, Heili Kasuk, Meelis Harmas, Peeter Valk, Tavo Romann, Miriam Koppel, Patrick Teppor, Jaan Aruvali, Ove Korjus, Olga Volobujeva, Enn Lust
Summary: A novel platinum-ceria-Ketjenblack carbon bifunctional electrocatalyst with flower-shaped ceria crystals was synthesized for methanol oxidation reaction. The improved Pt deposition efficiency and increased number of active sites for Pt nanoparticle formation were achieved through modified ethylene glycol reduction method and microwave treatment. The catalysts exhibited high activity and durability in methanol oxidation reaction.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Riinu Harmas, Rasmus Palm, Heisi Kurig, Laura Puusepp, Torben Pfaff, Tavo Romann, Jaan Aruvali, Indrek Tallo, Thomas Thomberg, Alar Janes, Enn Lust
Summary: Characterization methods, such as Raman spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering, are used to analyze the structure of carbon materials, with findings indicating an increase in the average graphene layer extent with synthesis temperature of carbide-derived carbons. Correlations between parameters from Raman spectroscopy and synthesis temperature are established, showing a strong influence of precursor carbide structure on the graphitization pathway.
C-JOURNAL OF CARBON RESEARCH
(2021)