@article {47029, title = {Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of PtRu/nitrogen and sulphur co-doped crumbled graphene in acid and alkaline media}, journal = {Journal of Colloid and Interface Science}, volume = {590}, year = {2021}, month = {MAY }, pages = {154-163}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

The low mass activity and high price of pure platinum (Pt)-based catalysts predominantly limit their large-scale utilization in electrocatalysis. Therefore, the reduction of Pt amount while preserving the electrocatalytic efficiency represents a viable alternative. In this work, we prepared new PtRu2 nanoparticles supported on sulphur and nitrogen co-doped crumbled graphene with trace amounts of iron (PtRu2/PF) electrocatalysts. The PtRu2/PF catalysts exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic performance and stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at pH = 0. Moreover, the prepared PtRu2/PF electrocatalyst displayed higher HER activity than commercial 20\% Pt/C. The PtRu2/PF catalyst achieved a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) at an overpotential value of only 22 mV for HER, performing better activity than many other Pt-based electrocatalysts. Besides, the PtRu2/PF revealed a good performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. The PtRu2/PF catalyst recorded a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) at an overpotential of only 270 mV for OER in KOH (1.0 M) solution and an onset potential of 0.96 V vs. RHE (at 1 mA cm(-2)) for ORR in KOH (0.1 M) solution. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {HER, OER, ORR, PtRu2, Sulphur and nitrogen co-doped crumbled graphene}, issn = {0021-9797}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2021.01.049}, author = {Pang, Liuqing and Miao, Yuanyuan and Bhange, Siddheshwar N. and Barras, Alexandre and Addad, Ahmed and Roussel, Pascal and Amin, Mohammed A. and Kurungot, Sreekumar and Szunerits, Sabine and Boukherroub, Rabah} } @article {49653, title = {Tailoring hydrogen evolution reaction with single-atom catalysts on Ti2B MBenes: Insights from computational screening}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {77}, year = {2024}, month = {AUG}, pages = {479-485}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

The utilization of single-atom catalysts (SACs) in the context of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) holds significant promise for advancing electrocatalysis. Upon implantation or anchoring on two-dimensional (2D) materials, these catalysts exhibit improved stability, selectivity, and reactivity. This study uses density functional theory-based computational techniques to demonstrate the potential of SACs embedded on novel 2D materials, such as MBenes. To assess their HER activity, the transition metals (TMs) are screened as SACs embedded in Ti2B monolayer. Our results indicate that the inclusion of a single TM can finely adjust hydrogen adsorption, resulting in a characteristic volcano-like pattern, and particularly Pd-Ti2B emerges as a standout candidate, with an optimal Gibbs free energy of -0.057 eV. Moreover, Pd-Ti2B exhibits a notable exchange current density of 1.25 x 10(-4) Acm(-2) surpassing that of numerous traditional metal catalysts, including Pt(111), by approximately 105\%. Furthermore, we underscore the electronic characteristics contributing to the extraordinary electrocatalytic activity of a single TM atom encased in Ti2B, viz., Pd-Ti2B, for HER. This study contributes greatly to our understanding of electrocatalytic processes and facilitates the development of potent MBenes-based catalysts for hydrogen evolution.

}, keywords = {electrocatalyst, First-principles study, HER, MBenes, single atom catalyst}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.141}, author = {Shukla, Aarti} } @article {49545, title = {Bifunctional nanoelectrocatalyst: semi-amorphous cobalt tungstate-based nanocomposites surpassing amorphous and crystalline counterparts}, journal = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {FEB}, pages = {15319-15332}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Electrocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen is considered to be one of the significant routes for future renewable energy conversion. Therefore, the development of unique, efficient, and cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts, which can perform both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), is critical for the accessible utilization of renewable energy. The increasing overall efficiency of the water-splitting reaction is pivotal for sustainable energy conversion and hydrogen production. Herein, we present a facile solution-based synthesis route to control the crystallinity of the cobalt tungstate (CoWO4) nanomaterials to amorphous, semiamorphous, and crystalline phases and further exploit these nanomaterials as bifunctional electrocatalysts for the HER, OER, and overall electrochemical water splitting reaction. Notably, the semiamorphous cobalt tungstate nanomaterials show a remarkable surface area of approximately 150 m(2)/g, the highest reported for CoWO4-based materials, and demonstrated superior activity for both the OER and HER and outstanding stability over the amorphous and crystalline counterparts. Notably, the SemiAmp||SemiAmp electrolyzer demonstrated a better performance for overall water splitting than the commercial RuO2||Pt/C electrolyzer.

}, keywords = {amorphous, CoWO4, electrocatalyst, HER, Nanocomposite, OER, water splitting}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.4c19097}, author = {Dev, Sahil and Nagappan, Sreenivasan and Kundu, Subrata and Mukherjee, Shatabdi Porel} } @article {49611, title = {Design and synthesis of PtPdNiCoMn high-entropy alloy electrocatalyst for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction: a theoretically supported predictive design approach}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, volume = {35}, year = {2025}, month = {APR}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation requires a cutting-edge, multifunctional electrocatalyst with abundant active sites to drive multielectron transfer reactions. High entropy alloys (HEA) are complex five or more-element alloy systems with high configurational entropy which makes them unique materials for next-generation electrocatalysts. Here, in this work, based on new screening guidelines for catalyst selections that combine density-functional theory calculated Gibbs formation-enthalpy with bond length and electronegativity variance, a novel HEA electrocatalyst consisting of five elements, namely, Pt, Pd, Ni, Co, and Mn is designed. By simple room temperature electrodeposition, the designed catalyst is prepared and its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is explored and validated through experimental and theoretical approaches. The HEA demonstrated a superior HER activity with an overpotential of 22.6 mV at -10 mA cm-2 which outperforms Pt/C commercial catalyst. No evident degradation of the material is detected even after 100 hours of continuous operation under high current density. Moreover, the HEA has shown exceptional performance in harsh electrolyte conditions such as in simulated seawater and actual seawater. Remarkably, the density-functional theory calculated small Gibbs formation-enthalpy (approximate to 0 eV) compared to Pt/C places the new HEA near the apex of Trasatti{\textquoteright}s model of Volcano plot, which is also suggestive of superior HER activity.

}, keywords = {DFT, electrocatalysts, Electronic Structure, HER, high-entropy alloys}, issn = {1616-301X}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202418644}, author = {Chandran, M. Athira and Dutta, Pritha and Singh, Prashant and Singh, Ashutosh K. and Prasad, Bhagavatula L. V.} } @article {49531, title = {Self-supported super-hydrophilic interconnected nanospikes and particles of MoS2-Ni3S2/NF with optimum d-band center for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer}, journal = {Advanced Sustainable Systems}, volume = {9}, year = {2025}, month = {MAR}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

There is an imperative need for highly efficient electrocatalysts for cost-effective hydrogen production. Herein, a self-supported, hybrid composite as a bifunctional electrocatalyst is introduced. This is achieved by in situ growth of MoS2-Ni3S2 on nickel foam (NF), designated as MoS2-Ni3S2/NF, synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis method. MoS2-Ni3S2/NF exhibits low overpotentials of only 187 and 146 mV for OER and HER, respectively, to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH. The practical application of the designed bifunctional electrocatalyst is verified by constructing the MoS2-Ni3S2/NF || MoS2-Ni3S2/NF symmetrical membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of 4 cm2 working area for the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer. The system shows continuous electrolysis for the monitored 48 h duration. For OER, an optimum d-band center of -1.66 eV for the heterostructure is calculated from the Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies. The factors like the unique structure of the electrocatalyst, enhanced hydrophilicity, improved electrochemically accessible number of sites (ECASs), and optimum d-band center, are expected to be the primary contributors to the system{\textquoteright}s improved performance. Thus, the present finding unveils a straightforward synthesis approach for creating a stable electrocatalyst for advancing commercial water electrolysis in the realm of renewable electrochemical energy conversion.

}, keywords = {AEM, d-band center, electrolyzer, HER, OER}, issn = {2366-7486}, doi = {10.1002/adsu.202400957}, author = {Kumar, Yogesh and Barik, Sidharth and Samudre, Nikhil S. and Kharabe, Geeta Pandurang and Chauhan, Inderjeet and Manna, Narugopal and Bhat, Suresh and Kurungot, Sreekumar} } @article {49443, title = {Synthesis framework for designing PtPdCoNiMn high-entropy alloy: a stable electrocatalyst for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction}, journal = {Small}, volume = {21}, year = {2025}, month = {JAN}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of advanced materials characterized by their multifunctionality and potential to replace commercial catalysts in electrocatalytic water splitting. The synergy among the various alloyed elements in HEAs makes them particularly promising for applications in electrocatalysis. However, preparation of HEA via bottom-up approaches by avoiding the formation of mono, di, and tri metallic alloys in the nanoscale is challenging. This aspect is addressed, in this study by exploring the logical selection of solvents, reducing agents, and capping agents, along with their relative fractions, in the solvothermal synthesis of the HEA comprising platinum-palladium-cobalt-nickel-manganese (PtPdCoNiMn). It is established that the reducing capabilities of both the solvent and reducing agent are crucial for the reduction of each metal to form a single-phase HEA. The synthesized HEA (20 wt.\%)/functionalized carbon (FC) demonstrates excellent performance as an HER catalyst, exhibiting a low overpotential of 48.7 mV at -10 mA cm-2 in an alkaline electrolyte. This performance is characterized by high reaction kinetics and stability at elevated current densities. Furthermore, the catalyst shows impressive performance in both simulated and actual seawater. This development reduces the reliance on platinum while enhancing the long-term durability and catalytic efficiency of the electrocatalyst.

}, keywords = {electrocatalysts, HER, high entropy alloys, solvothermal synthesis}, issn = {1613-6810}, doi = {10.1002/smll.202408317}, author = {Chandran, M. Athira and Sahoo, Sudeshna and Singh, Ashutosh K. and Prasad, Bhagavatula L. V.} }