Structure-Performance Relationships of Nanocomposites in Electrocatalysis

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 April 2022) | Viewed by 4310

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Interests: electrocatalysis; functional materials; structure-performance relationship; fuel cells; metal–air batteries

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Interests: lithium-ion batteries; lithium metal batteries; battery interface engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrocatalysis has had unique growth in the last forty years and is attracting the attention of chemists as well as engineers, due to the application of new hybrid techniques, including energy conversion devices (e.g., fuel cells, metal–air batteries, electrolyser, solar cells), sensors, electro-organic synthesis, and so forth. A high-performance electrocatalyst is necessary to make the electrocatalytic reaction meet real technical applications. Given the exceptional physicochemical and electronic properties, nanocomposite materials are arising as some of the most proficient electrocatalysts for providing more active sites, reducing energy barriers, and promoting the electron transfer of electrocatalytic reactions based on the synergistic effects of components. However, the structure–performance relationships (typically such as the degradation of Pt/C in fuel cells, crystallographic orientations dependent on selectivity in electrochemical CO2 reduction) cannot be understood yet. Hence, correlating structure–performance relationships of nanocomposites in electrocatalysis is crucial for designing electrocatalysts with high activity, selectivity, and durability in the real application of new hybrid techniques.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a research forum to exchange the latest advances in nanocomposites as electrocatalysts in technological electrochemical reactions of organic electrosynthesis, galvanoplasty, sensors, fuel cells and batteries, and explore the potentials of nanocomposites for electrocatalysis future. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: i) Construction approaches and fabrication techniques of nanocomposites; ii) Hybrid characterization techniques for nanocomposites and electrochemical reactions; iii) New theoretical considerations on nanocomposites for electrocatalysis; iv) Structure–performance relationships of nanocomposites for electrocatalysis; v) New applications of nanocomposites in electrocatalysis.

Prof. Dr. Dongsheng Geng
Prof. Dr. Xiangbo Meng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Composites Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Nanocomponents
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Synergistic effects
  • Structure–performance relationship
  • Fuel cells
  • Electrolyser
  • Electrochemical CO2 reduction
  • Metal–air batteries
  • Electrochemical sensors

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 12625 KiB  
Article
Facile Green Synthesis of α-Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles: Its Photocatalytic and Electrochemical Sensing of Glucose and Uric Acid in an Acidic Medium
by Mir Waqas Alam, Nassiba Allag, Maisari Utami, Mir Waheed-Ur-Rehman, Mohd Al Saleh Al-Othoum and Shima Sadaf
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8020047 - 26 Jan 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2605
Abstract
The nanocrystalline bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) was produced utilizing a green combustion process with Mexican Mint gel as the fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) method proved the nanocrystalline nature and Bi2O3 nanoparticles (BONPs) in α phase [...] Read more.
The nanocrystalline bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) was produced utilizing a green combustion process with Mexican Mint gel as the fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) method proved the nanocrystalline nature and Bi2O3 nanoparticles (BONPs) in α phase and the average crystalline size of BONPs nanoparticles has been found to be 60 nm. The spherical-shaped structure with bright dot-like spots in the center of the selected area diffraction (SAED) is confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) in conjunction with the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) demonstrating the crystalline behavior of green NPs. The Kubelka-Monk function was used to analyze diffuse reflectance spectra, and the results revealed that BONPs have a band gap of 3.07 eV. When utilized to evaluate the photocatalytic capabilities of NPs, the direct green (DG) and fast orange red (F-OR) dyes were found to be activated at 618 and 503 nm, respectively. After 120 min of exposure to UV radiation, the DG and F-OR dyes’ photodegradation rate reduced its hue by up to 88.2% and 94%, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance techniques in 0.1 N HCl were used to efficiently analyze the electrochemical behavior of the produced BONPs. A carbon paste electrode that had been enhanced with BONPs was used to detect the glucose and uric acid in a 0.1 N HCl solution. The results of the cyclic voltammetry point to the excellent electrochemical qualities of BONPs. Bi2O3 electrode material was found to have a proton diffusion coefficient of 1.039 × 10−5 cm2s−1. BONP exhibits significant potential as an electrode material for sensing chemicals like glucose and uric acid, according to the electrochemical behavior. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2399 KiB  
Article
CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS Nanocomposite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
by Valerii K. Kochergin, Alexander S. Kotkin, Roman A. Manzhos, Alexander G. Krivenko, Igor I. Khodos and Eugene N. Kabachkov
J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7(8), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7080328 - 13 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1295
Abstract
The search for new hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts with lower cost and higher activity and stability than noble metal catalysts is essential. In this regard cobalt phosphide is considered one of the most promising nanomaterials. The present work proposes a simple and [...] Read more.
The search for new hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts with lower cost and higher activity and stability than noble metal catalysts is essential. In this regard cobalt phosphide is considered one of the most promising nanomaterials. The present work proposes a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of a nanocomposite of graphene–phosphorene structures decorated with CoP nanoparticles 2–5 nm in size via the electrochemical exfoliation of black phosphorus carried out in the presence of nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene structures and followed by solvothermal synthesis in a Co2+-containing solution. The obtained CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS nanocomposite demonstrates high electrocatalytic activity and stability towards HER in an alkaline medium. The nanocomposite is characterized by an overpotential of 190 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 as well as a small Tafel slope (78 mV dec−1). These characteristics make the CoP/EEBP/N-FLGS nanocomposite superior to most electrocatalysts based on cobalt phosphides. The results of this study could be in demand for the future design and improvement of HER electrocatalysts. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop