Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Energy

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Utah State University have made a significant discovery in the field of nanotechnology, developing a novel approach to synthesize multifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen energy conversion and storage. By using earth-abundant nickel boride nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide, the team has created a catalyst that is both active and durable. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the hydrogen economy by providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to convert and store hydrogen.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a facile strategy to synthesize nickel boride nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide (Ni3B/rGO) as multifunctional electrocatalysts for both hydrogen oxidation reaction and overall water splitting.
  • The Ni3B/rGO catalysts produce a hydrogen oxidation reaction current density of 2.39 mA cm(-2) at an overpotential of 100 mV vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, comparable to commercial Pt/C (2.95 mA cm(-2)) and 60 times as high as bare Ni/rGO (0.04 mA cm(-2)).
  • The Ni3B/rGO-based alkali electrolyzer affords 100 mA cm(-2) at a cell voltage input of 1.85 V for electrocatalytic overall water splitting.
  • Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the Ni3B/rGO catalysts possess optimal adsorption energies of both H* and OH* intermediates, which are favorable to electrocatalytic hydrogen electrochemistry in an alkaline medium.
  • This work opens a new avenue toward the rational design of high-performance platinum group metal-free multifunctional electrocatalysts for the hydrogen economy.
  • The research was supported by Utah State University, Honda Research Institute, Center for High Performance Computing at the University of Utah, and University of Cincinnati.

Statistics:

  • The Ni3B/rGO catalysts produce 2.39 mA cm(-2) of hydrogen oxidation reaction current density at an overpotential of 100 mV vs. reversible hydrogen electrode.
  • The commercial Pt/C catalyst produces 2.95 mA cm(-2) of hydrogen oxidation reaction current density at an overpotential of 100 mV vs. reversible hydrogen electrode.
  • The bare Ni/rGO catalyst produces 0.04 mA cm(-2) of hydrogen oxidation reaction current density at an overpotential of 100 mV vs. reversible hydrogen electrode.
  • The Ni3B/rGO-based alkali electrolyzer affords 100 mA cm(-2) of electrocatalytic overall water splitting at a cell voltage input of 1.85 V.

Sources:

  • Multifunctional Electrocatalysts of Nickel Boride Nanoparticles for Superior Hydrogen Oxidation and Water Splitting. Materials Today Energy, 2021;22.
  • NewsRx. Studies from Utah State University Yield New Information about Nanoparticles (Multifunctional Electrocatalysts of Nickel Boride Nanoparticles for Superior Hydrogen Oxidation and Water Splitting). Nanotechnology Weekly. December 27, 2021; p 3664.