Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Transition Metal Based Compounds

Electrocatalytic water splitting is one of the cleanest and sustainable way to generate hydrogen. Transition metal based electrocatalysts like iron phosphides (Fe2P, FeP), molybdenum diselenides (MoSe2), and tungsten carbides (W2C, WC) have unique advantages including competitive cost compared to platinum, controllable active sites, and electronic structures that could significantly enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we present a combination of approaches for preparing catalyst materials. As an elegant technique, colloidal synthesis was used to synthesize Mo and W nanoparticles. Combined with selenization and carbidation approaches at elevated temperature, it allowed to synthesize MoSe2, W2C, and WC thin films. The syntheses of Fe2P and FeP catalyst were achieved in one-stage using triphenylphosphine precursor. The obtained catalysts were applied in electrocatalytic HER studies

Iron phosphide as an efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution

We report the solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphide electrocatalysts using a low-cost phosphorus precursor. The synthetic protocol allows for the preparation of a Fe2P phase at 300°C and FeP phase at 350°C. To enhance the catalytic activities of obtained iron phosphide particles, heat-treatments were carried out at elevated temperatures. Annealing at 500°C induced structural changes in the samples: (i) Fe2P provided a pure Fe3P phase (Fe3P−500°C) and (ii) FeP transformed into a mixture of iron phosphide phases (Fe2P/FeP−500°C). The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated Fe2P−450°C, Fe3P−500°C, and Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalysts were studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The lowest recorded overpotential of 110 mV at 10 mA cm−2 vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode was achieved with Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalyst. The present approach allows preparation of immobilized iron phsphide catalyst onto carbon support which is essential for application purpose. The procedure developed by us is an elegant approach to tune the composition of iron phosphide catalyst and control the morphology of particle

Solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphides and their application for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract In this paper, we present a solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphide electrocatalysts using a triphenylphosphine (TPP) precursor. The synthetic protocol generates Fe2P phase at 300 °C and FeP phase at 350 °C. To enhance the catalytic activities of obtained iron phosphide particles heat-treatments were carried out at elevated temperatures. Annealing at 500 °C under reductive atmosphere induced structural changes in the samples: (i) Fe2P provided a pure Fe3P phase (Fe3P−500 °C) and (ii) FeP transformed into a mixture of iron phosphide phases (Fe2P/FeP−500 °C). Pure Fe2P films was prepared under argon atmosphere at 450 °C (Fe2P−450 °C). The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated Fe2P−450 °C, Fe3P−500 °C, and Fe2P/FeP−500 °C catalysts were studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M H2SO4. The HER activities of the iron phosphide catalyst were found to be phase dependent. The lowest electrode potential of 110 mV vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) at 10 mA cm−2 was achieved with Fe2P/FeP−500 °C catalyst

Tuning the activity of iron phosphide electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion

Electrocatalysis is a promising approach for the sustainable conversion of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into chemical energy that can be stored and used on demand. By harnessing renewable electricity to drive electrochemical reactions, we can produce fuels and chemicals in a way that is both clean and cost-effective. As we continue to develop new electrocatalytic materials and improve the efficiency of existing processes, the potential for electrocatalysis to transform our energy system will only continue to grow. We report the use of iron phosphide (Fe2P, FeP) in several electrocatalytic applications, such as reduction of nitrate ions (NO3), hydrogen and oxygen evolution studies. The electrochemical reduction of the nitrate ion (NO3), a widespread water pollutant, to valuable ammonia (NH3) is a promising approach to achieving green energy conservation. Particularly, FeP and Fe2P phases were successfully demonstrated as efficient catalysts for NH3 generation. Detection of the in-situ formed product using a bi-potentiostat was achieved by electrooxidation of NH3 to nitrogen (N2) on a Pt electrode. The Fe2P catalyst exhibits the highest Faradaic efficiency (96%) for NH3 generation with a yield (0.25 mmol h−1 cm-−2 or 2.10 mg h−1 cm−2) at −0.55 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). To get relevant information about the reaction mechanisms and the fundamental origins behind the better performance of Fe2P, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed

Materials for sustainable electrochemical energy conversion

The process of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through water electrolysis is an important technology for establishing the so called "hydrogen economy". Here we will cover different systems for electrocatalytic HER. Transition metal carbides and metal phosphides are alternative to platinum (Pt) and offer excellent electrocatalytic activity for HER. Pyrolysis of hexacarbonyl tungsten, W(CO)6, in 1-octadecene has been used to prepare colloidal tungsten, W, nanoparticles (NPs) [1]. The obtained W NPs has been spin-coated on graphite (C) electrodes. Heat treatment of the W/C electrodes at elevated temperatures (≥ 900°C) allows the preparation of metallic W and tungsten carbide (W2C@WC) thin films. The obtained W2C@WC electrodes were used for hydrogen evolution studies (HER) in 0.5M H2SO4. Cyclic voltammetry tests for 1000 cycles showed that W2C@WC exhibit long term stability without significant drop in current density. The overpotential defined at 10 mA/cm2 is 310 mV vs. RHE giving an excellent catalytic activity for HER. Iron phosphide electrocatalysts were synthesized using a triphenylphosphine (TPP) precursor. Different iron phosphide phases were synthesized at 300°C (Fe2P) and at 350°C ( FeP ) [2]. To enhance the catalytic activities of obtained iron phosphide particles heat-treatments were carried out at elevated temperatures. Annealing at 500°C under reductive atmosphere induced structural changes in the samples: (i) Fe2P provided a pure Fe3P phase (Fe3P−500°C) and (ii) FeP transformed into a mixture of iron phosphide phases (Fe2P/FeP−500°C). The lowest electrode potential of 110 mV vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) at 10 mA cm−2 was achieved with Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalys

Solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphides and their application for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

We report the solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphide electrocatalysts using a low-cost phosphorus precursor [1]. The synthetic protocol allows for the preparation of a Fe2P phase at 300°C and FeP phase at 350°C. To enhance the catalytic activities of obtained iron phosphide particles, heat-treatments were carried out at elevated temperatures. Annealing at 500°C induced structural changes in the samples: (i) Fe2P provided a pure Fe3P phase (Fe3P−500°C) and (ii) FeP transformed into a mixture of iron phosphide phases (Fe2P/FeP−500°C). The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated Fe2P−450°C, Fe3P−500°C, and Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalysts were studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The HER activities of the iron phosphide catalyst were found to be phase dependent. The lowest recorded overpotential of 110 mV at 10 mA cm−2 vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode was achieved with Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalyst. The present approach allows the preparation of immobilized iron phsphide catalyst onto carbon support which is essential for application purpose. The procedure developed by us is an elegant approach to tune the composition of iron phosphide catalyst and control the morphology of particles

Photoelectrocatalytic water splitting and dye degradation with fluorine doped tin oxides films

We report the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting with flourine doped tin oxide (FTO) films. This is the first study where efficient water splitting is achieved with FTO films under light illumination. Potentiostatic test at 1.7 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) show that FTO material is very stable for water oxidation without occurence of a noticable current drop over a span of 6 hours. Mass spectrometry analysis of evolved gasses confermed the formation of oxygen and hydrogen in the two half cells (separated by a membrane). Moreover, it was demonstrated that the water splitting reaction involve formation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) which are known oxidants for organics. We applied these FTO films for degradation of a model pollutant rhodamine B dye (1×10−5 mol/l). PEC assisted degradation of rhodamine B took about 30 min to achieve complete degradation of 60 ml model dye solution

Defective TiO2 Nanotube Arrays for Efficient PhotoelectrochemicalDegradation of Organic Pollutants

Oxygen vacancies (OVs) are one of the most critical factors that enhance the electrical and catalytic characteristics of metal oxide-based photo-electrodes. In this work, a simple procedure was applied to prepare reduced TiO 2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) (TiO 2−x) via a one-step reduction method using NaBH 4. A series of characterization techniques were used to study the structural, optical, and electronic properties of TiO 2−x NTAs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of defects in TiO 2−x NTAs. Photoacoustic measurements were used to estimate the electron-trap density in the NTAs. Photoelectrochemical studies show that the photocurrent density of TiO 2−x NTAs was nearly 3 times higher than that of pristine TiO 2. It was found that increasing OVs in TiO 2 affects the surface recombination centers, enhances electrical conductivity, and improves charge transport. For the first time, a TiO 2−x photoanode was used in the photo-electrochemical (PEC) degradation of a textile dye (basic blue 41, B41) and ibuprofen (IBF) pharmaceutical using in situ generated reactive chlorine species (RCS). Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to study the mechanisms for the degradation of B41 and IBF. Phytotoxicity tests of B41 and IBF solutions were performed using Lepidium sativum L. to evaluate the potential acute toxicity before and after the PEC treatment. The present work provides efficient PEC degradation of the B41 dye and IBF in the presence of RCS without generating harmful products