Investigation of the Dependence of Electrocatalytic Activity of Copper and Palladium Nanoparticles on Morphology and Shape Formation

Abstract

A synthesis strategy for the manufacture of inexpensive highly efficient nanostructured catalysts has been developed. The developed unique nonplatinoid copper-based catalysts with different surface morphology were investigated as a functional layer with high activity in the ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. A modifying layer with controlled morphology, composition, and excellent electrocatalytic activity was synthesized by electrochemical deposition by varying such synthesis parameters as deposition temperature and time, concentration of structure-forming additives, and electrodeposition current. The dependence of the samples’ electrocatalytic activity on the shaping factors was established. According to the electrochemical study results, the highest current density peak of up to 33.01 mA cm−2, and hence the highest catalytic activity in comparison to other samples, were possessed by a catalyst with a regular cubic particle shape. A catalyst consisting of plate-like nanoparticles with a certain percentage of disclinations had similar, but slightly less activity, with a current density peak of up to 31.59 mA cm−2. The samples’ activity values are 8 times higher for cubic particles and 7.5 times higher for particles with a triangular plate shape than for an unmodified smooth copper film. The developed samples can be considered as quite competitive to platinoid catalysts, which significantly outperform copper analogues.

Hydrogen Permeability of Composite Pd–Au/Pd–Cu Membranes and Methods for Their Preparation

“…“Hydrogen carriers” are hydrogen-chemisorbing substances such as platinum metals [ 54 ]. The nanostructured palladium layer formation on the membrane surface will increase the actual working surface area, thus leading to an increase in the number of chemisorption centers [ 55 , 56 ]. The deposition of a modifier based on pentagonal structured, multiply twinned nanoparticles is particularly interesting and effective.…”

Component Engineering of Multiphase Nickel Sulfide-Based Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

“…Doping foreign high-active transition metal into nickel sulfide-based catalysts is regarded as an efficient route to optimize their electrochemical performance by overcoming the intrinsic activation barriers [39][40][41]; however, the doping strategy usually shows a tendency to include the various metal-active sites, leading to a significant impact on the study of intrinsic catalytic activity [42,43]. In principle, the catalytic property of a material is determined using its electronic structure and can be regulated by engineering its composition and morphology [44][45][46]. The internal and external adjustments, i.e., tuning the electronic structure through phase control and composition adjustment, are valid for the production of efficient electrocatalysts [47][48][49].…”

High-Performance Hydrogen-Selective Pd-Ag Membranes Modified with Pd-Pt Nanoparticles for Use in Steam Reforming Membrane Reactors

“…It was found that hydrogen permeability of membranes increased after each stage, as the use of the air heat treatment technique directly affected the increase in the effective surface area of the membrane. Another way to activate the membrane surface is its modification with powdered catalytically active particles [33][34][35][36]. The most promising way is the application of nanoparticles, which have become widespread in many areas of science and industry due to the unusual physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles [37][38][39][40][41][42].…”