Researchers Develop Novel Nanotubes for Enhanced Catalytic Performance

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at the CSIR - Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Tamil Nadu, India, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nanotechnology. By systematically altering the morphology of nickel cobaltite-based materials, they have created nickel cobalt telluride (NCTe) nanotubes that exhibit exceptional bifunctional catalytic performance. These nanotubes have the potential to revolutionize the field of catalysis and make a significant impact on various industries.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers have developed NCTe nanotubes with exceptional bifunctional catalytic performance, achieving a cell potential of 1.86 V to deliver 50 mA/cm in 1 M KOH with a commercial anion exchange membrane.
  • The NCTe nanotubes exhibit improved activity with long-term stability, demonstrating the importance of morphology control in catalyst design.
  • The researchers used first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to gain insights into the catalytic efficiency of Ni-based compounds and found that the work function of NCTe (4.1 eV) is lower compared to Pt metal (5.6 eV) and RuO (5.2 eV).
  • The study investigates the morphological evolution of nickel cobaltite-based materials, transitioning from 3D nanospheres to 2D nanoflakes and 1D nanotubes.
  • The findings of this study highlight the importance of morphology control in catalyst design, demonstrating its impact on active site optimization, surface area enhancement, and overall catalytic efficiency.
  • The researchers used gas chromatography to analyze the purity of the evolved gases and found that the NCTe nanotubes exhibit exceptional bifunctional catalytic performance.

Statistics:

  • 1.86 V: cell potential achieved by NCTe nanotubes
  • 50 mA/cm: current density delivered by NCTe nanotubes in 1 M KOH with a commercial anion exchange membrane
  • 4.1 eV: work function of NCTe nanotubes on the (100) surface
  • 5.6 eV: work function of Pt metal on the (100) surface
  • 5.2 eV: work function of RuO on the (100) surface
  • 3D, 2D, 1D: morphologies of nickel cobaltite-based materials
  • 1 M KOH: concentration of the electrolyte solution
  • Commercial anion exchange membrane: type of membrane used in the experiment

Sources:

  • VerticalNews (Oct 20, 2025)
  • NewsRx. New Nanotubes Study Findings Reported from CSIR - Central Electrochemical Research Institute (Crafting Resilient Electrocatalysts: Tailoring Spinel Cobaltite Morphologies toward Alkaline Water Electrolysis). Nanotechnology Weekly. October 20, 2025; p 1076.
  • ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025
  • Amer Chemical Soc, 1155 16TH St, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA (publisher contact information)
  • CSIR - Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India (publisher contact information)
  • Palanichamy Murugan, Electrochemical Power Sources Division, CSIR - Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India (author contact information)
  • Ardra S. Darsan and Alagarsamy Pandikumar (additional authors)