NiSn nanoparticle-incorporated carbon nanofibers as efficient electrocatalysts for urea oxidation and working anodes in direct urea fuel cells

Barakat, Nasser A.M.; Amen, Mohamed T.; Al‐Mubaddel, Fahad S.; Karim, Mohammad Rezaul; Alrashed, Maher M.

doi:10.1016/j.jare.2018.12.003

Cited by 43 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Therefore, generating hydrogen from urea-polluted wastewater solves an environmental problem simultaneously. Theoretically, production of hydrogen from urea does not need additional power, as it is an exothermic reaction according to the following equations [17][18][19][20] So far, based on our best knowledge, no anode material has been reported that could achieve the task without additional power.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Sn Content, Nanostructural Morphology, and Synthesis Temperature on the Electrochemical Active Area of Ni-Sn/C Nanocomposite: Verification of Methanol and Urea Electrooxidation

2019

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In contrast to precious metals (e.g., Pt), which possess their electro catalytic activities due to their surface electronic structure, the activity of the Ni-based electrocatalysts depends on formation of an electroactive surface area (ESA) from the oxyhydroxide layer (NiOOH). In this study, the influences of Sn content, nanostructural morphology, and synthesis temperature on the ESA of Sn-incorporated Ni/C nanostructures were studied. To investigate the effect of the nanostructural, Sn-incorporated Ni/C nanostructures, nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning a tin chloride/nickel acetate/poly (vinyl alcohol) solution, followed by calcination under inert atmosphere at high temperatures (700, 850, and 1000 °C). On the other hand, the same composite was formulated in nanoparticulate form by a sol-gel procedure. The electrochemical measurements indicated that the nanofibrous morphology strongly enhanced formation of the ESA. Investigation of the tin content concluded that the optimum co-catalyst content depends on the synthesis temperature. Typically, the maximum ESA was observed at 10 and 15 wt % of the co-catalyst for the nanofibers prepared at 700 and 850 °C, respectively. Study of the effect of synthesis temperature concluded that at the same tin content, 850 °C calcination temperature reveals the best activity compared to 700 and 1000 °C. Practical verification was achieved by investigation of the electrocatalytic activity toward methanol and urea oxidation. The results confirmed that the activity is directly proportionate to the ESA, especially in the case of urea oxidation. Moreover, beside the distinct increase in the current density, at the optimum calcination temperature and co-catalyst content, a distinguished decrease in the onset potential of both urea and methanol oxidation was observed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Sn Content, Nanostructural Morphology, and Synthesis Temperature on the Electrochemical Active Area of Ni-Sn/C Nanocomposite: Verification of Methanol and Urea Electrooxidation

2019

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“…As can be seen, the onset potential, an important parameter to be extracted from CV experiments was about 30 mV less positive on 3-Ni/CF (0.47 V) than on 6-Ni/CP and 12-Ni/CP. The decrease of the onset potential is related to a change in the required activation energy for the process, and a suitable catalyst enhances the reaction rate by decreasing the activation energy [46]. It is important to point out that the onset potential starts at the similar potential of the conversion from Ni 2+ to Ni 3+ , confirmed that NiOOH is the active phase for the urea electro-oxidation reaction [37,38].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 85%

Nickel nanoparticles supported by commercial carbon paper as a catalyst for urea electro-oxidation

Coelho

Barbosa

Liu

et al. 2020

Mater Renew Sustain Energy

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Nickel nanoparticles supported by commercial carbon paper (CP) are prepared by pulsed laser deposition with deposition time of 3, 6, and 12 min as a catalyst for urea electro-oxidation. The surface conditions and the morphologies of the prepared electrodes have been characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Urea electro-oxidation reaction in KOH solution on the Ni/CP electrodes is investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results show that the electrode with less Ni nanoparticle agglomeration shows higher peak current density, which was achieved in the 3 min deposition samples when normalized by electroactive surface areas. However, the highest current normalized by the area of the carbon paper was achieved in the 6 min deposition sample due to the larger quantity of Ni nanoparticles. All the samples show good stability. Our results suggest that the low density, low cost, and environmental friendly CP can be used as support for Ni nanoparticle as a catalyst for urea electro-oxidation. It thus has great potential for many applications involving urea oxidation, such as wastewater treatments.

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“…The stability of the catalyst is also demonstrated by the minor loss of current density after 1000 CV cycles (Figure g). Apart from the above‐two detailed discussed examples, other notable studies on DUFC catalysts include NiMn‐decorated activated carbon, Se‐Ni(OH) 2 ‐shelled NiSe nanowires, NiSn nanoparticle‐incorporated carbon nanofibers, and NiCo‐decorated carbon nanotubes . Their catalytic performance is summarized in Table 3 .…”

Section: Direct Urea Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Designing Advanced Catalysts for Energy Conversion Based on Urea Oxidation Reaction

Zhu

Liang

Zou

2020

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418

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Urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is the underlying reaction that determines the performance of modern urea‐based energy conversion technologies. These technologies include electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical urea splitting for hydrogen production and direct urea fuel cells as power engines. They have demonstrated great potentials as alternatives to current water splitting and hydrogen fuel cell systems with more favorable operating conditions and cost effectiveness. At the moment, UOR performance is mainly limited by the 6‐electron transfer process. In this case, various material design and synthesis strategies have recently been reported to produce highly efficient UOR catalysts. The performance of these advanced catalysts is optimized by the modification of their structural and chemical properties, including porosity development, heterostructure construction, defect engineering, surface functionalization, and electronic structure modulation. Considering the rich progress in this field, the recent advances in the design and synthesis of UOR catalysts for urea electrolysis, photoelectrochemical urea splitting, and direct urea fuel cells are reviewed here. Particular attention is paid to those design concepts, which specifically target the characteristics of urea molecules. Moreover, challenges and prospects for the future development of urea‐based energy conversion technologies and corresponding catalysts are also discussed.

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NiSn nanoparticle-incorporated carbon nanofibers as efficient electrocatalysts for urea oxidation and working anodes in direct urea fuel cells

Abstract: Graphical abstract

Cited by 43 publications

References 41 publications

Influence of Sn Content, Nanostructural Morphology, and Synthesis Temperature on the Electrochemical Active Area of Ni-Sn/C Nanocomposite: Verification of Methanol and Urea Electrooxidation

Influence of Sn Content, Nanostructural Morphology, and Synthesis Temperature on the Electrochemical Active Area of Ni-Sn/C Nanocomposite: Verification of Methanol and Urea Electrooxidation

Nickel nanoparticles supported by commercial carbon paper as a catalyst for urea electro-oxidation

Designing Advanced Catalysts for Energy Conversion Based on Urea Oxidation Reaction

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