In-Situ Generation of Oxide Nanowire Arrays from AgCuZn Alloy Sulfide with Enhanced Electrochemical Oxygen-Evolving Performance

Abstract

In this study, AgCuZn sulfide is fabricated on the surface of AgCuZn alloys by hydrothermal sulfuration. This ternary metal sulfide is equipped with enhanced activity toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline electrolyte. Through comparison of the alloys with diverse compositions, we find out the best electrochemical property of a particular alloy sulfide forming on a AgCuZn substrate (Ag:Cu:Zn=43:49:8). The alloy sulfide exhibits an onset overpotential (η) of 0.27 V with a Tafel slope of 95±2 mV dec(-1) and a current density of 130 mA cm(-2) at η of 0.57 V. Moreover, the obtained AgCuZn sulfide displays excellent stability, where the current density can increase to 130% of the initial value after a water electrolysis test for 100,000 s (27.7 h). Through investigating the electrode before and after the electrocatalysis, we find a remarkable activated process during which self-supported copper-silver oxide nanowire (CuO-Ag2O NW) arrays in situ form on the surface of the electrode. This work provides a feasible strategy for synthesis of high performance nonprecious metal electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Surface Electrochemical Modification of a Nickel Substrate to Prepare a NiFe‐based Electrode for Water Oxidation

“…Homogeneous molecular systems have the advantage of structural tuning toward better understanding the mechanism of OER whereas solid materials are more accessible for actual device fabrication . Among those solid materials, many oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, phosphides, and chalcogenides based on first‐row transition metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) have shown high electrocatalytic activity for OER and could potentially replace commercial anodes that contain noble metals. Typically, catalysts with mixed metal composites display improved performance in OER compared to the corresponding materials with a single metal element .…”

Metal Oxide Nanostructures Generated from In Situ Sacrifice of Zinc in Bimetallic Textures as Flexible Ni/Fe Fast Battery Electrodes

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] In these studies, high capacitance and excellent cycling stability of Ni/Feb atteries can be achieved, basically owing to the enhanced conductivity of carbonc omposites and nanostructured metal oxide electrodes. [20][21][22][23] It wasp roved, in the previousr eports,t hat the proportions of the alloy dramatically affected the growth of Ag 2 O-CuO nanowires as zinc was eliminated duringe lectrochemical treatment of the AgCuZn alloy in an alkaline solution. Nickel and iron oxides are usually obtained through 300-600 8Ca nnealingp rocesses, and a7 00 8Co re ven higher carbonization temperature is necessary for metal-graphene/carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/carbonn anoflakes (CNFs) composite preparation.W ithout any doubt, the high-temperature process would bring considerably high energy consumption and profit loss when introducingt hese techniques into large-scale manufacturing.…”

“…The idea was inspired by our previouss tudyo nA gCuZna lloy rodsf or oxygen-evolving reaction catalysts. [20][21][22][23] It wasp roved, in the previousr eports,t hat the proportions of the alloy dramatically affected the growth of Ag 2 O-CuO nanowires as zinc was eliminated duringe lectrochemical treatment of the AgCuZn alloy in an alkaline solution. [20] To demonstrate the universality of this in situ process in modifying other possible multi-metal systems, we transfer this technique to NiZn andF eZn bimetallic textures to prepare nanostructured electrodes.…”

“…As the materials were prepared on current collectors directly, flexible battery fabrication can be easily achieved by this system. The idea was inspired by our previous study on AgCuZn alloy rods for oxygen‐evolving reaction catalysts . It was proved, in the previous reports, that the proportions of the alloy dramatically affected the growth of Ag 2 O–CuO nanowires as zinc was eliminated during electrochemical treatment of the AgCuZn alloy in an alkaline solution …”

Enhanced Overall Water-Splitting Performance: Oleylamine-Functionalized GO/Cu2ZnSnS4Composite as a Nobel Metal-Free and NonPrecious Electrocatalyst

“…Intensive study is accordingly conducted to develop inexpensive and high-efficiency electrocatalysts that have comparable activity to precious electrocatalysts. In the times of yore, metal complexes, 4 heteroatom-doped, 5 metal alloys, 6 double-layered hydroxide, 7 metal phosphides, 8 hybrid nano–bio electrocatalysts, 9 polymer-embedded catalyst, 10 transition metals, 11 metal-free electrocatalyst, 12 metal–carbon heterostructures, 13 amine-functionalized electrocatalysts, 12c and many more potential electrode materials have been investigated for H 2 - and O 2 -evolution reactions. 14…”