Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alla A. Pustovalova, Pavel A. Loktionov, Ivan O. Speshilov, Roman D. Pichugov, Aleksei Y. Grishko, Artem T. Glazkov, Anatoly E. Antipov
Summary: In this study, low-cost electrodes based on IrO2-ZrO2 were fabricated using the Pechini method and thermal decomposition. The structure of the electrodes was confirmed through Raman and XPS analysis. Electrochemical tests showed that the electrodes with 15-30 mol% Zr addition exhibited high electrocatalytic performance comparable to Ir-based electrodes in the OER. Operando absorbance spectra analysis demonstrated the successful electrochemical reduction in the vanadium electrolyte rebalancing cell. The cell using a 70Ir-30Zr electrode showed more effective performance than the one using a 70Ir electrode under a high current density of 250 mA cm-2.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seungwoo Choi, Won Il Choi, Jun-Seo Lee, Chang Hyun Lee, Mani Balamurugan, Andrew D. Schwarz, Zung Sun Choi, Hyacinthe Randriamahazaka, Ki Tae Nam
Summary: Chloride oxidation is a crucial electrochemical process in chlorine-based chemical production and water treatment. Dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs) comprising RuO2- and IrO2-based mixed-metal oxides have been successfully commercialized. Efforts have been made to develop earth-abundant-metal-based electrocatalysts for sustainable supply of anode materials. This review discusses the history of commercial DSA fabrication, strategies to improve efficiency and stability, electrocatalytic performance, and progress in designing noble-metal-free anode materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sanghwi Han, Seongsoo Kim, Sungjun Kwak, Changha Lee, Dae Hong Jeong, Choonsoo Kim, Jeyong Yoon
Summary: In this study, a novel anode material for efficient chlorine evolution in dilute chloride solutions was fabricated. The iridium-cobalt mixed oxide (ICO) electrode exhibited a significantly improved chlorine evolution reaction (CER) efficiency compared to the pristine IrO2 electrode. ICO also demonstrated excellent stability and ammonium degradation performance. These results suggest that ICO is a promising and cost-effective anode material for various applications.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hyun Woo Lim, Jae Hyun Park, Bingyi Yan, Jin Young Kim, Chan Woo Lee
Summary: In this study, a new type of titanium foam electrode with core/shell-structured mixed metal oxide nanoparticles was demonstrated to achieve almost zero polarization for the chlorine evolution reaction in chlor-alkali electrolysis. The electrode showed significantly lower noble metal usage compared to commercial electrodes and exhibited fast charge-transfer kinetics and high mass transport rates, leading to excellent performance in chlorine and hydrogen gas evolution reactions.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dwi Sakti Aldianto Pratama, Andi Haryanto, Chan Woo Lee
Summary: The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has gained significant attention due to the high energy density and environmental friendliness of hydrogen energy. However, its wide application is hindered by the lack of efficient electrocatalysts and high cost. Mixed metal oxide (MMO) electrocatalysts, with heterostructured interfaces, have emerged as potential catalysts for HER, effectively overcoming the activation barrier. This mini-review summarizes several design strategies for the synergistic effect of MMO catalysts on HER, including metal oxide/metal oxide and metal/metal oxide interfaces, and discusses existing challenges and future perspectives.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mehdi Mirzaei Alavijeh, Sajjad Habibzadeh, Khatereh Roohi, Farhad Keivanimehr, Leila Naji, Mohammad Reza Ganjali
Summary: This study introduces a novel precious metal-free Ti0.35V0.35Sn0.25Sb0.05-oxide electrocatalyst that selectively conducts the reaction pathway towards chlorine evolution reaction with a high faradaic current efficiency of around 88%. The electrocatalyst was scrutinized by various techniques, showing a decent overpotential difference between oxygen evolution reaction and chlorine evolution reactions. The geometric structure and surface properties of the synthesized electrocatalyst were tuned by incorporating vanadium pentoxide, antimony, and tin oxide.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Christian Iffelsberger, Siowwoon Ng, Martin Pumera
Summary: Photoelectrochemistry, combining the advantages of electrochemical and photochemical processes, is a key area for sustainable prosperity. The study shows that the activity and selectivity of TiO2 photoelectrocatalyst are highly localized and illumination dramatically changes the selectivity in electrolysis reactions. This implies that light can be used to control the selectivity, greatly impacting the optimization of photoelectrocatalysts.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhang Yan, Wenjian Kuang, Yu Lei, Wenxiao Zheng, Hengyi Fu, Han Li, Zhenchao Lei, Xin Yang, Shishu Zhu, Chunhua Feng
Summary: This study develops a wet chemistry approach to synthesize BiOCl-functionalized MMO electrodes for electrochlorination of ammonium in wastewater treatment. The BiOCl@MMO anode exhibits higher chlorine generation, Faradaic efficiency, and NH4+ oxidation rate compared to the pristine MMO anode.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Catalina Astudillo, Katerina Minhova Macounova, Adrian Malthe Frandsen, Roman Nebel, Jan Rossmeisl, Petr Krtil
Summary: The limits of steering selectively gas evolving reaction on Ru-rich oxide phases in the Ru-Mn-O system were investigated. The overall electrocatalytic activity of Ru1-xMnxO2 materials increases with increasing Mn content, as well as the selectivity towards oxygen evolution in acidic chloride-containing solutions. The amount of evolved oxygen is practically independent of the chloride concentration in the whole range of the prepared Ru-Mn-O phases, indicating a low tendency of Ru-Mn-O phases to evolve oxygen via lattice oxygen activation. DFT analysis further confirms the experimental behavior.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Rong, Jingshan S. Du, Xinqi Chen, Qingju Liu, Vinayak P. Dravid
Summary: Transition-metal oxides and hydroxides based on earth-abundant elements have emerged as a new generation of OER catalysts, with hierarchically architected mixed oxides showing record-low Tafel slope and week-long continuous operation durability. Properly designed hierarchical mixed oxide electrodes may provide a cost-effective route to generating high, reliable, and stable OER catalytic activities.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiapeng Ji, Junxian Liu, Lei Shi, Siqi Guo, Ningyan Cheng, Porun Liu, Yuantong Gu, Huajie Yin, Haimin Zhang, Huijun Zhao
Summary: The development of dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs) has made the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) the most important industrial anode reaction since the 1960s. However, the preparation of DSA relies on the use of expensive and scarce precious metals. In this study, a cationic defect adsorption-oxidation anchoring strategy is employed to immobilize oxidized sub-nano ruthenium clusters on a 2D low-crystallinity titanium oxide (2D TiOx) substrate, leading to enhanced activity, selectivity, and stability for CER.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Evandi Rahman, Sukhwa Hong, Jaesang Lee, Seok Won Hong, Kangwoo Cho
Summary: This study reports a Ni0.33Fe0.67Oy/TiO2 heterojunction anode prepared by sol-gel coating and thermal decomposition, which showed comparable ClER efficiency to benchmarking Ir7Ta3Oy/TiO2 in neutral NaCl solutions. The outer TiO2 was identified as the active ClER center. Ni0.33Fe0.67Oy exhibited superior OER activity compared to other Fe-doped Ni oxides, indicating its potential as an ohmic contact for ClER.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Ziliang Deng, Shuying Xu, Chuhao Liu, Xueqiang Zhang, Mufan Li, Zipeng Zhao
Summary: Chlorine (Cl-2) is a crucial chemical produced through electrolysis and used in various industrial chemistry fields. However, the stability of dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs), which are commonly used for the chlorine evolution reaction, is a major challenge affecting their lifespan. This paper reviews existing studies on the deactivation mechanisms of DSA catalysts and explores improvement strategies and alternative catalysts. The understanding of these mechanisms is essential for developing catalysts with higher activity and stability.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zafar Khan Ghouri, Khaled Elsaid, Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef, Ahmed Badreldin, Yiming Wubulikasimu, Ahmed Abdel-Wahab
Summary: The presence of chloride ions in seawater affects the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and the proposed novel material combination exhibits higher OER activity and selectivity for chlorine evolution reaction (CER) during simulated saline water electrolysis.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Elisabetta Petrucci, Francesco Porcelli, Monica Orsini, Serena De Santis, Giovanni Sotgiu
Summary: The development of mixed oxide electrodes is being intensively investigated to reduce cost and improve performance. In this study, thin-film electrodes coated with ruthenium and copper oxide were fabricated. The addition of copper enhanced the capacitive response and electron transfer reversibility, but the interlayer had a negative effect on charge storage power.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weilai Yu, Nathan S. Lewis, Harry B. Gray, Nathan F. Dalleska
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paul Nunez, Miguel Caban-Acevedo, Weilai Yu, Matthias H. Richter, Kathleen Kennedy, Andres Molina Villarino, Bruce S. Brunschwig, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: Deposition of Pt by electroless or e-beam methods on p-Si leads to different junction characteristics, with the former forming a rectifying junction and the latter forming an ohmic contact. The presence of a thin SiOx layer under the Pt overlayer is observed when Pt is deposited electrolessly. In contrast, e-beam deposition of Pt requires oxidation of the Si surface and leads to the formation of a H-terminated Si surface in addition to the interfacial SiOx layer.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Weilai Yu, James L. Young, Todd G. Deutsch, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: The study evaluated the long-term stability of p-Ga0.52In0.48P photocathodes in acidic or alkaline electrolytes, finding that electrodeposition of Pt facilitated the hydrogen-evolution reaction kinetics and stabilized the photoelectrodes. This work provides insights into the stability and corrosion mechanisms of p-GaInP photocathodes, showing their potential as top light absorbers for solar-fuel generators.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Harold J. Fu, Pakpoom Buabthong, Zachary Philip Ifkovits, Weilai Yu, Bruce S. Brunschwig, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: Research shows that Ni and NiOx-based thin films can catalyze the oxidation of Si in the presence of oxygen, extending the lifespan of Si/Ni electrodes. In contrast, electrodes without these films are more prone to corrosion. Operating in alkaline conditions, lowering the electrolyte pH can increase the durability of the photoanode, but may reduce the efficiency of water oxidation.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Zhiao Yu, Weilai Yu, Yuelang Chen, Luca Mondonico, Xin Xiao, Yu Zheng, Fang Liu, Samantha T. Hung, Yi Cui, Zhenan Bao
Summary: Liquid electrolyte engineering is crucial for lithium-ion batteries. Fluorination of carbonate solvents can improve battery performance, but the extent of fluorination needs to be finely tuned. Partially fluorinated solvents show better cycling stability compared to fully fluorinated solvents in some cases.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Weilai Yu, Pakpoom Buabthong, James L. Young, Zachary P. Ifkovits, Sean T. Byrne, Myles A. Steiner, Todd G. Deutsch, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: The long-term stability of homojunction pn(+)-Ga0.52In0.48P photocathodes with an electrodeposited Pt catalyst was systematically evaluated in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. The degradation mechanisms were attributed to thinning of the n(+)-emitter layer, corrosion of the GaAs substrate, and direct GaAs/electrolyte contact. The study emphasizes the importance of substrate stability and structural integrity for stable solar fuel generation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weilai Yu, Zhiao Yu, Yi Cui, Zhenan Bao
Summary: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is commonly used to analyze the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) in batteries, but residual salt or solvent can complicate the interpretation of the results. This study systematically investigates the XPS characteristics of three different lithium salts and reveals the importance of completely removing the salt before analysis. The presence of organic solvent residues and impurities on the sample surface should be distinguished from the actual organic SEI.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tian Liu, Zhenhua Pan, Kosaku Kato, Junie Jhon M. Vequizo, Rito Yanagi, Xiaoshan Zheng, Weilai Yu, Akira Yamakata, Baoliang Chen, Shu Hu, Kenji Katayama, Chiheng Chu
Summary: The demand for cost-effective solar fuels has led to extensive research in artificial photosynthesis. This study focuses on designing high-performance particulate photocatalysts by enhancing charge separation through nanoscale tuning of interfacial energetics. The application of a core/shell type cocatalyst is demonstrated to be an effective strategy for improving the overall photosynthesis performance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yu Zheng, Lukas Michalek, Qianhe Liu, Yilei Wu, Hyunjun Kim, Philaphon Sayavong, Weilai Yu, Donglai Zhong, Chuanzhen Zhao, Zhiao Yu, Jerika A. Chiong, Huaxin Gong, Xiaozhou Ji, Deyu Liu, Song Zhang, Nathaniel Prine, Zhitao Zhang, Weichen Wang, Jeffrey B. -H. Tok, Xiaodan Gu, Yi Cui, Jiheong Kang, Zhenan Bao
Summary: This research reports a surface-tethered stretchable molecular protecting layer for achieving environmental stability of stretchable polymer electronics in direct contact with physiological fluids. The densely packed nanostructures formed by covalently functionalizing fluoroalkyl chains onto the surface of stretchable polymer semiconductor films enable the operational stability of PSCs for an extended period and maintain protection under mechanical deformation. The hydrophobicity and high fluorination surface density of the nanostructured fluorinated molecular protection layer contribute to its ability to block water absorption and diffusion.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhuojun Huang, Jian-Cheng Lai, Sheng-Lun Liao, Zhiao Yu, Yuelang Chen, Weilai Yu, Huaxin Gong, Xin Gao, Yufei Yang, Jian Qin, Yi Cui, Zhenan Bao
Summary: A key challenge in enabling Li metal batteries as next-generation energy storage devices is to stabilize the interface between Li metal and the electrolyte. This study introduces a salt-philic, solvent-phobic (SP2) polymer coating for Li metal electrodes that selectively transports salt over solvent, thereby promoting the formation of a salt-derived SEI. Unlike previous artificial SEIs, this SP2 coating approach results in enhanced cycling performance in various solvents and improves the cycle life of high-performance fluorinated ether electrolytes.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Weilai Yu
Summary: Semiconductor photoelectrochemistry is an efficient method to convert solar energy into chemical fuels, but the instability of the semiconductor/electrolyte interface has hindered practical implementation. This paper summarizes recent efforts in understanding the stability and failure mechanisms of semiconducting photocathodes using III-V semiconductors as an example. The impacts of catalytic kinetics, surface stoichiometry, and architectural integrity on the physical and operational stability of photoelectrodes are discussed. These insights are valuable for the development of durable photoelectrodes for new applications beyond solar water splitting.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weilai Yu, Matthias H. Richter, Pakpoom Buabthong, Ivan A. Moreno-Hernandez, Carlos G. Read, Ethan Simonoff, Bruce S. Brunschwig, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: This study evaluated the stability of p-InP photocathodes for the hydrogen-evolution reaction, finding that electrodeposition of Pt can stabilize the illuminated p-InP photocathodes and inhibit the corrosion pathway, maintaining a stable current density under simulated sunlight. In acidic media, the surface of p-InP/Pt electrodes became gradually phosphorous-rich over time, while in alkaline electrolyte, the formation of an InOx layer on the electrode surface led to a significant degradation in the J-E characteristics.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weilai Yu, Matthias H. Richter, Ethan Simonoff, Bruce S. Brunschwig, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: The long-term stability of p-GaAs photocathodes for the hydrogen-evolution reaction in different acidic and alkaline electrolytes was investigated, with coated electrodes showing reduced adverse interfacial reactions in certain conditions.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paul A. Kempler, Zachary P. Ifkovits, Weilai Yu, Azhar I. Carim, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: The effects of the size, contact-angle, and coverage of gas bubbles on solar fuels devices were studied using experimental measurements and ray-tracing simulations. The results suggest that bubbles can have a positive impact on the photoelectrochemical performance of solar fuels devices.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)