Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin Lin, Yuhong Du, Guangping Wu, Chao Wang, Li Guo, Yanzhong Wang
Summary: In this study, hierarchically porous Fe/N co-doped porous carbon on N-doped carbon nanotubes (Fe/N-C@NCNTs) were prepared by the pyrolysis of Fe-doped ZIF-8 embedded on polypyrrole nanotubes (PNTs). The Fe/N-C@NCNTs electrocatalyst exhibited excellent oxygen reduction performance with a limit current density of 5.7 mA cm-2 and a half-wave potential of 0.84 V (vs. RHE). The electrocatalytic activity was only reduced by 7% after a stability test of 650 minutes. This outstanding performance was attributed to the synergistic effects of abundant Fe-Nx-C active sites, high graphitization degree, and hierarchically porous structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Javier Quilez-Bermejo, Emilia Morallon, Diego Cazorla-Amoros
Summary: This study investigates the deactivation mechanism of N-doped carbon materials in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) through experiments and computational modeling. It reveals that in both acidic and alkaline environments, graphitic-type nitrogen species deactivate through oxidation and tautomerization reactions, resulting in the formation of N-C-O-type groups, which affect the catalytic activity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
R. G. Morais, N. Rey-Raap, J. L. Figueiredo, M. F. R. Pereira
Summary: Carbon nanotubes were modified with cobalt and/or iron phthalocyanines to enhance oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Increasing FePc content improved electroactivity towards oxygen reduction, while a 1:1 CoPc:FePc mass ratio showed the highest electroactivity for oxygen evolution. These materials have potential as substitutes for noble metal electrocatalysts.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
He Wang, Chenhong Liu, Xiaoli Yang, Jiali Gu, Mengyuan Niu, Lin Yang, Zhengyu Bai
Summary: In this study, a CoFe2O4-NC electrocatalyst with excellent ORR activity and long-term stability was synthesized through the incorporation of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in N-doped carbon nanotubes. The obtained electrocatalyst outperformed previously reported catalysts with a higher half-wave potential and continuous cycling. This work opens up a new direction for the development of low-cost and efficient ORR electrocatalysts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhihui Yao, Yuting Li, Daisong Chen, Yiwen Zhang, Xinghong Bao, Juan Wang, Qin Zhong
Summary: This study presents a feasible method to synthesize materials with well-dispersed β-Fe2O3 clusters in 1D porous carbon nanofibers through electrospinning, impregnation, and pyrolysis processes. The resulting material, β-Fe2O3@CNFs-12, exhibits remarkable ORR performance in alkaline electrolyte, outperforming commercial Pt/C, thanks to its well-designed 1D hierarchical porous structure and accessible β-Fe2O3 clusters embedded in carbon nanofibers.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ki Ro Yoon, Chang-Kyu Hwang, Seung-hoon Kim, Ji-Won Jung, Ji Eon Chae, Jun Kim, Kyung Ah Lee, Ahyoun Lim, Su-Ho Cho, Jitendra Pal Singh, Jong Min Kim, Kihyun Shin, Byung Moo Moon, Hyun S. Park, Hyoung-Juhn Kim, Keun Hwa Chae, Hyung Chul Ham, Il-Doo Kim, Jin Young Kim
Summary: Optimized design of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is crucial for achieving high-performance energy conversion systems. The novel CoOx@CoNy/NCNF hybrid catalyst exhibits excellent oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction activity, catalyzing redox reactions effectively and enhancing the stability of Zn-air batteries.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xi-Zheng Fan, Xin Du, Qing-Qing Pang, Shuo Zhang, Zhong-Yi Liu, Xin-Zheng Yue
Summary: An advanced Co/N-C-800 catalyst with abundant Co-N-x structures and carbon defects has been synthesized, showing favorable catalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction. Theoretical calculations suggest that the active sites and carbon defects of the catalyst can enhance the adsorption energy and electron-transfer ability of intermediates, thereby improving the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kuang Sheng, Qingfeng Yi, A-Ling Chen, Yuebing Wang, Yuhui Yan, Huidong Nie, Xiulin Zhou
Summary: CoNi/NHCS-TUC-x composite materials, synthesized through a simple pyrolysis strategy, exhibit high ORR/OER electroactivity with different proportions of spherical carbon and tubular carbon, showing interesting bifunctional performance. The CoNi/NHCS-TUC-3 material demonstrates superior electrocatalytic performance for both ORR and OER, making it a promising candidate for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sebastian Ott, Fengmin Du, Mauricio Lopez Luna, Tuan Anh Dao, Soren Selve, Beatriz Roldan Cuenya, Alin Orfanidi, Peter Strasser
Summary: This study investigates the effect of solid N-precursor molecules on N-modification and elucidates how cyanamide and melamine affect the physicochemical and catalytic properties of the resulting carbon supports and catalysts. The study reveals that the N-precursor and synthetic route determine which physicochemical parameters are influenced in the resulting catalytic layer.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Deying Leng, Houbing Tang, Mingming Yang, Jinniu Zhang, Yafeng Zhang, Juan Qin, Qianru Liu, Hongbing Lu, Feng Yin
Summary: This study introduces a low-cost and effective method to produce Co/N-CNT/PCS catalysts, which exhibit excellent ORR electrocatalytic activity, long-term stability, and potential as a major contender in the field of PEMFCs.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jiewen Liu, Jian Zhang, Mingjie Xu, Chuanjin Tian, Yanhao Dong, Chang-An Wang
Summary: The primary challenge for efficient H2 evolution and hydrogen energy conversion is to develop highly active and stable catalysts with simple and reliable preparation processes. In this study, a porous carbon supported low-Pt alloy catalyst (Pt3Co/Co@C) was designed and synthesized, which exhibited excellent activity and mass activity for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction, as well as long-term stability.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qin Liao, Guangxing Li, Ruida Ding, Zhanglong He, Min Jiang, Chen Zhao, Tao Li, Xiang Liu, Shuguang Chen, Hao He
Summary: Nonprecious transition metals and nitrogen doped carbon materials are considered as attractive alternatives to precious metal catalysts. Cobalt decorated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes show promising performance in metal-air batteries, outperforming commercial Pt/C. This demonstrates the potential of Co-NCNT as a candidate for ORR in metal-air batteries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hongjing Wang, Dandan Yang, Songliang Liu, Shuli Yin, Hongjie Yu, You Xu, Xiaonian Li, Ziqiang Wang, Liang Wang
Summary: A general method for preparing monodispersed Pt nanoparticle encapsulated in N-doped hollow carbon sphere with cage-bell structure (Pt@NHCS) by hard-template method is reported, showing excellent catalytic activity and methanol-tolerant durability for oxygen reduction reaction. This design is of significant importance for the development of cost-efficient electrocatalysts with cage-bell structure for superior oxygen reduction reaction and beyond.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nadia Batool, Babar Shahzad, Waseem Iqbal, Xiao-Feng Han, Wen-Tao Wang, Jin Yan, Ruhua Shi, Jing-Hua Tian, Ruizhi Yang
Summary: PtNi nanoparticles supported by pyrolyzed-MOF show higher ORR activity and excellent durability in alkaline and acidic solutions, making them promising catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuande Shi, Jiannan Cai, Xiaofeng Zhang, Zhongshui Li, Shen Lin
Summary: In this study, Co-Ni (trace)/NCNTs with superior dual-functional electrocatalytic performance for ORR and OER were successfully synthesized using a one-pot vapor deposition method. The catalyst showed excellent stability during durability testing and provides a feasible strategy for designing efficient nonnoble metal-catalysts for renewable energy conversion devices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuki Terauchi, Megumi Nagayama, Takumi Tanaka, Hiroki Tanabe, Akira Yoshimi, Kei Nanatani, Hiroshi Yabu, Toshihiko Arita, Takeshi Higuchi, Tomoshi Kameda, Keietsu Abe
Summary: The adsorption kinetics of hydrophobin RolA onto solid surfaces and the self-assembled structures formed by RolA molecules were studied. The results showed that the amount of adsorbed RolA, the chemical properties of the surfaces, and the zeta potential of RolA all affected the self-assembled structures formed on the surfaces.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hiroshi Yabu, Kosuke Ishibashi, Manjit Singh Grewal, Yasutaka Matsuo, Naoki Shoji, Koju Ito
Summary: A rare metal-free and highly efficient ORR/OER electrocatalyst was prepared by calcination of a mixture of blood meal and ascidian-derived cellulose nanofibers. The obtained carbon alloys showed promising ORR/OER performances, providing a new approach for electrocatalyst fabrication and contributing to CO2 reduction and a good life-cycle assessment value in the production of sustainable energy devices.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryota Kotani, Soichi Yokoyama, Shunpei Nobusue, Shigehiro Yamaguchi, Atsuhiro Osuka, Hiroshi Yabu, Shohei Saito
Summary: Understanding the transmission of nanoscale forces is crucial in polymer physics. Physical approaches have limitations in analyzing the local force distribution in condensed environments. This study presents a conformationally flexible dual-fluorescence force probe, enabling ratiometric analysis of the distribution of local forces in a stretched polymer chain network. Chemical control of the probe location reveals a higher local stress concentration at crosslinkers than at main chains, especially in a strain-hardening region.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bihai Chen, Takehiko Wada, Hiroshi Yabu
Summary: By controlling the wettability of honeycomb porous membranes, an extremely thin oil-water separation membrane has been developed for easy separation of water and oil. The method allows different liquids to be separated based on their densities when the initial liquid added to the surface of the membrane is changed.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Shahkar Falak, Bo Kyoung Shin, Hiroshi Yabu, Do Sung Huh
Summary: Pore-selective silver-functionalized honeycomb-patterned polystyrene films were fabricated using a modified breath figure method. The antibacterial activity of the functional film was achieved by creating micro-trapping pits through the selective coating of silver in the pores. The film showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, this method could potentially be used to selectively functionalize other metals or inorganic materials, providing diverse applications for honeycomb-patterned films.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manjit Singh Grewal, Kazuaki Kisu, Shin-ichi Orimo, Hiroshi Yabu
Summary: This study presents hexagonal arranged porous scaffolds for holding prototype polyethylene glycol-based composite electrolytes containing solvate ionic liquid, which exhibit appealing electrochemical and thermal properties, indicating their potential as safer rechargeable lithium-ion battery electrolytes. The porous scaffolds improve the electrochemical performance of polymer electrolytes, with both molecular design and porous micro-structures being crucial for enhancing performance.
Article
Electrochemistry
Hiroki Ida, Noriko Taira, Koichi Azuma, Akichika Kumatani, Misao Akishiba, Shiroh Futaki, Yasufumi Takahashi, Hitoshi Shiku
Summary: In this study, we used scanning ion conductance microscopy to investigate the effects of five different inhibitors on membrane dynamics in living cells. Our results showed that cytochalasins and sodium azide both slowed down horizontal ruffle movements, although their inhibitory mechanisms are different. We also found that ruffle deformation and elongation were less affected compared to movements along the cell membrane direction, suggesting the involvement of mechanisms beyond actin polymerization. The disappearance of ruffles and smoothing of the cell surface were observed after treatment with 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-Amiloride, while active ruffles without cup-like structures were observed in the presence of wortmannin. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of inhibitors.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daigo Terutsuki, Reiji Segawa, Shinya Kusama, Hiroya Abe, Matsuhiko Nishizawa
Summary: A truncated cone-shaped porous microneedle made of poly-glycidyl methacrylate was studied as a minimally invasive tool for transdermal drug delivery. The frustoconical PMN significantly reduced the resistance of the skin by expanding the stratum corneum without penetrating into the skin. The PAMPS-modified frustoconical PMN effectively enhances the penetration of larger molecules, such as dextran.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Liang Tong, Yuta Nabae, Tomoyasu Hirai, Hiroshi Yabu, Teruaki Hayakawa
Summary: Advancements in nanotechnology have allowed for the preparation of polymer particles with ordered internal and surface structures. This study used 3D confined self-assembly to create well-shaped spheres with ordered mesostructures. The internal mesoporous structure was formed through microphase separation, while the surface mesostructure was caused by the decomposition of certain domains.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Satoshi Yamamoto, Munekazu Motoyama, Masahiko Suzuki, Ryotaro Sakakibara, Norikazu Ishigaki, Akichika Kumatani, Wataru Norimatsu, Yasutoshi Iriyama
Summary: In this study, redox reactions of Li+ insertion/extraction from one to two interlayers of graphene on SiC substrates were investigated using LiPON glass as the solid-state electrolyte. The glassy electrolyte did not induce a reduction current and excluded the desolvation reaction of Li+. Single-layer and double-layer graphene electrodes showed a single reduction peak and one or two oxidation peaks, differing from graphite and multilayer graphene. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated surface capacity due to Li+ adsorption/desorption at the LiPON/graphene interface. The proposed method is effective for electrochemical measurement of graphene electrodes with a controlled number of layers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manjit Grewal, Kosuke Ishibashi, Mitsuo Hara, Yuya Ishizaki, Shusaku Nagano, Hiroshi Yabu
Summary: To achieve safe and high-performance Li-ion batteries, it is crucial to develop electrolytes with high impact resistance and high ionic conductivity. The use of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) to form 3D networks and solvated ionic liquids has improved the ionic conductivity at room temperature. However, the effects of PEGDA's molecular weight on ionic conductivities and the relationship between ionic conductivities and network structures of cross-linked polymer electrolytes have not been thoroughly discussed.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Akichika Kumatani, Hiroto Ogawa, Takahiko Endo, Yu Kobayashi, Jana Lustikova, Hiroki Ida, Yasufumi Takahashi, Tomokazu Matsue, Yasumitsu Miyata, Hitoshi Shiku
Summary: The ability of two-dimensional, layered transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) in promoting hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has garnered much attention for hydrogen-generation applications. A study using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) to visualize and quantify the electrochemical HER activities of tungsten disulfide (WS2) islands revealed that the HER correlated current distribution is affected by the number of WS2 layers. SECCM imaging provides insights for future designs in TMD-based electrocatalysts.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY B
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tengyi Liu, Hiroshi Yabu
Summary: This review proposes a new classification approach for biomass-derived catalytic materials by focusing on the role of bio-based materials in the overall catalyst system. It categorizes bio-based materials based on the active components, carbon support, and the entire catalyst, and provides a comprehensive summary of catalytic materials at different scales. Recent developments of biomass-based electrocatalysts for various reactions are also summarized.
ADVANCED ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hiroya Abe, Kaito Sato, Natsumi Kimura, Shinya Kusama, Daisuke Inoue, Kenshi Yamasaki, Matsuhiko Nishizawa
Summary: The introduction of a charged functional film on the surface of a porous microneedle can generate a strong electroosmotic flow, promoting low-invasive delivery of drugs and vaccines through the skin. Experimental results demonstrate that the charged microneedle can effectively enhance injection efficiency by altering the electrophoretic motion.
ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kosuke Ishibashi, Manjit Singh Grewal, Koju Ito, Naoki Shoji, Yasutaka Matsuo, Hiroshi Yabu
Summary: As the demand for high-performance electrocatalysts continues to grow, this study presents a possible strategy to fabricate biomass-derived electrocatalysts with excellent electrochemical performance, without the need for rare or harmful metals. This could be a promising approach for high-capacity energy storage devices using biomass resources.
ADVANCED ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
(2022)
