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New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells,...
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New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, and Metal-Air Batteries

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 9334

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carmelo Lo Vecchio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Council of Research, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies (CNR ITAE), Messina, Italy
Interests: electrocatalysis; non-PGM materials; fuel cells; batteries; electrolysers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The environmental emergencies that our planet is tackling, such as climatic change and global warming, have resulted from the thoughtless employment of fossil fuels over the past decades to satisfy the increasing world energy demand for supporting demographic, industrialization, and urbanistic growths. The development of sustainable energy systems is essential to hinder global warming and environmental pollution emergencies.

Fuel cells and batteries are the most promising technologies for the spontaneous conversion of chemical to electric energy and their versatility covers the stationary, portable, and automotive markets. The research in these fields is mainly focused on increasing efficiency and durability and reducing the overall cost by using non-precious metal catalysts and components with low environmental impact. This Special Issue deals with the preparation and characterization of new electrocatalytic materials and their integration into efficient energy conversion and storage devices. 

Dr. Carmelo Lo Vecchio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • electrocatalysis
  • non-PGM materials
  • fuel cells
  • batteries
  • membrane–electrode assembly

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3579 KiB  
Article
Scalability and Investigation of the Geometrical Features and Shapes of a Tandem Photo-Electrolysis Cell Based on Non-Critical Raw Materials
by Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Giosuè Giacoppo, Orazio Barbera, Alessandra Carbone, Vincenzo Baglio, Antonino Salvatore Aricò, Giuseppe Monforte and Stefano Trocino
Catalysts 2024, 14(2), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14020098 - 24 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1319
Abstract
Tandem photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) are devices useful for water splitting (WS) with the production of oxygen at the photoanode (PA) and hydrogen at the photocathode (PC) by adsorbing more than 75% of the solar irradiation; a portion of the UV/Vis direct solar irradiation [...] Read more.
Tandem photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) are devices useful for water splitting (WS) with the production of oxygen at the photoanode (PA) and hydrogen at the photocathode (PC) by adsorbing more than 75% of the solar irradiation; a portion of the UV/Vis direct solar irradiation is captured by the PA and a diffused or transmitted IR/Vis portion by the PC. Herein, Ti-doped hematite (PA) and CuO (PC) were employed as abundant and non-critical raw semiconductors characterised by proper band gap and band edge banding for the photoelectrochemical WS and absorption of sunlight. The investigation of inexpensive PEC was focused on the scalability of an active area from 0.25 cm2 to 40 cm2 with a rectangular or square shape. For the first time, this study introduces the novel concept of a glass electrode membrane assembly (GEMA), which was developed with an ionomeric glue to improve the interfacial contact between the membrane and photoelectrodes. On a large scale, the electron–hole recombination and the non-optimal photoelectrodes/electrolyte interface were optimized by inserting a glass support at the photocathode and drilled fluorine tin oxide (FTO) at the photoanode to ensure the flow of reagents and products. Rectangular 40 cm2 PEC showed a larger maximum enthalpy efficiency of 0.6% compared to the square PEC, which had a value of 0.37% at a low bias-assisted voltage (−0.6 V). Furthermore, throughput efficiency reached a maximum value of 1.2% and 0.8%, demonstrating either an important effect of the PEC geometries or a non-significant variation of the photocurrent within the scalability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, and Metal-Air Batteries)
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14 pages, 4076 KiB  
Article
Promoting Bifunctional Oxygen Catalyst Activity of Double-Perovskite-Type Cubic Nanocrystallites for Aqueous and Quasi-Solid-State Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries
by Yijun Zhong, Xiaomin Xu, Chao Su, Moses Oludayo Tadé and Zongping Shao
Catalysts 2023, 13(10), 1332; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13101332 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1434
Abstract
Transition metal oxide materials are promising oxygen catalysts that are alternatives to expensive and precious metal-containing catalysts. Integration of transition metal oxides with high activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an important pathway for good bifunctionality. In [...] Read more.
Transition metal oxide materials are promising oxygen catalysts that are alternatives to expensive and precious metal-containing catalysts. Integration of transition metal oxides with high activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an important pathway for good bifunctionality. In contrast to the conventional physical mixing and hybridization strategies, perovskite-type oxide provides an ideal structure for the integration of the transition metal element atoms on an atomic scale. Herein, B-site ordered double-perovskite-type La1.6Sr0.4MnCoO6 nanocrystallites with ultra-small cubic (20–50 nm) morphology and high specific surface areas (25 m2 g−1) were proposed. Rational designs were integrated to promote the ORR-OER catalysis, e.g., introducing oxygen vacancies via A-site cation substitution, further increasing surface oxygen vacancies via integration of a small amount of Pt/C and nanosizing of the material via a facile molten-salt method. The batteries with the La1.6Sr0.4MnCoO6 nanocrystallites and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte demonstrate decent discharge−charge voltage gaps of 0.75 and 1.10 V at 1 and 30 mA cm−2, respectively, and good cycling stability of 250 h (1500 cycles). A coin-type battery with a gel−polymer electrolyte also presents a good performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, and Metal-Air Batteries)
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21 pages, 7627 KiB  
Article
On the Effect of the Nature of Carbon Nanostructures on the Activity of Bifunctional Catalysts Based on Manganese Oxide Nanowires
by Nicolás Ignacio Villanueva-Martínez, Cinthia Alegre, David Sebastián, Nataly Orozco and María Jesús Lázaro
Catalysts 2023, 13(9), 1240; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13091240 - 26 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1397
Abstract
Manganese oxide nanowires (MONW) combined with carbon nanostructures were synthesized using three different carbon materials, and their effect on the activity towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) and Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) was investigated in alkaline electrolytes. The carbon structures were carbon nanofibers (CNF), [...] Read more.
Manganese oxide nanowires (MONW) combined with carbon nanostructures were synthesized using three different carbon materials, and their effect on the activity towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) and Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) was investigated in alkaline electrolytes. The carbon structures were carbon nanofibers (CNF), multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Both MONW and carbon nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, N2 physisorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical activity was assessed in a three-electrode cell. Composite MONW/CNF showed the best activity towards ORR, and MONW/rGO exhibited the highest activity towards OER of the series. The addition of the carbon nanostructures to MONW increased the number of electrons transferred in the ORR, indicating a synergistic effect between the carbon and manganese oxide structures due to changes in the reaction pathway. The analysis of Tafel slopes and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies showed that carbons and MONW catalyze different steps of the reactions, which explains the better activity of the composites. This led us to synthesize a MONW/rGO-CNF composite, where rGO-CNF is a hybrid carbon material. Composite MONW/rGO-CNF showed an improved activity towards ORR, close to the benchmark Pt/C catalyst, and activity towards OER, close to MONW/rGO, and better than the benchmark IrO2 catalyst. It also showed remarkable stability in challenging operation conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, and Metal-Air Batteries)
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13 pages, 5127 KiB  
Article
The Promotional Effect of Rare Earth on Pt for Ethanol Electro-Oxidation and Its Application on DEFC
by Alécio Rodrigues Nunes, José J. Linares, Rudy Crisafulli, Sabrina C. Zignani and Flávio Colmati
Catalysts 2023, 13(6), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13061011 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1809
Abstract
Bimetallic Pt3Eu/C, Pt3La/C, and Pt3Ce/C electrocatalysts have been prepared, characterized, and tested for ethanol electro-oxidation (EEO). The materials were synthesized by chemical reduction with NaBH4, rendering nanosized particles with actual compositions close to the nominals [...] Read more.
Bimetallic Pt3Eu/C, Pt3La/C, and Pt3Ce/C electrocatalysts have been prepared, characterized, and tested for ethanol electro-oxidation (EEO). The materials were synthesized by chemical reduction with NaBH4, rendering nanosized particles with actual compositions close to the nominals and no alloy formation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that the auxiliary rare-earth metals were present on the surface in oxide form. The electrochemical analyses in acid and alkaline EEO evidenced that, compared to Pt/C, the addition of rare earth metals in the form of oxides reduced the onset potential, increased the current density, and enhanced the stability. The results were fully confirmed in the DEFC single-cell measurements. Finally, the presence of rare earth metals in the oxidized form increased the percentage of acetic acid as the final product, making the electrocatalysts more selective and efficient than Pt/C, where acetaldehyde was the main product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, and Metal-Air Batteries)
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Review

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30 pages, 6222 KiB  
Review
Direct Ink Writing for Electrochemical Device Fabrication: A Review of 3D-Printed Electrodes and Ink Rheology
by Nickolas D. Polychronopoulos and Angeliki Brouzgou
Catalysts 2024, 14(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14020110 - 30 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2598
Abstract
Three-dimensional printed electrodes seem to overcome many structural and operational limitations compared to ones fabricated with conventional methods. Compared to other 3D printing techniques, direct ink writing (DIW), as a sub-category of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques, allows for easier fabrication, the utilization of [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional printed electrodes seem to overcome many structural and operational limitations compared to ones fabricated with conventional methods. Compared to other 3D printing techniques, direct ink writing (DIW), as a sub-category of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques, allows for easier fabrication, the utilization of various materials, and high flexibility in electrode architectures with low costs. Despite the conveniences in fabrication procedures that are facilitated by DIW, what qualifies an ink as 3D printable has become challenging to discern. Probing rheological ink properties such as viscoelastic moduli and yield stress appears to be a promising approach to determine 3D printability. Yet, issues arise regarding standardization protocols. It is essential for the ink filament to be extruded easily and continuously to maintain dimensional accuracy, even after post-processing methods related to electrode fabrication. Additives frequently present in the inks need to be removed, and this procedure affects the electrical and electrochemical properties of the 3D-printed electrodes. In this context, the aim of the current review was to analyze various energy devices, highlighting the type of inks synthesized and their measured rheological properties. This review fills a gap in the existing literature. Thus, according to the inks that have been formulated, we identified two categories of DIW electrode architectures that have been manufactured: supported and free-standing architectures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Electrocatalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, and Metal-Air Batteries)
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