Scientists propose novel bifunctional catalysts on biomass-derived carbon

Schematic illustration for the synthesis of Fe1Pt1/NC. Credit: CAO Lijuan

Environmentally friendly energy-conversion technologies, such as fuel cells and water-splitting systems, have attracted considerable attention. However, application of these electrochemical devices is hindered due to the high energy barrier of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are the most promising candidates for ORR and HER catalysis. However, most applicable chemicals or precursors for the synthesis of SACs support are generally costly, toxic, or synthesized by relatively complicated processes.

Recently, a research team led by Prof. Liang Hanpu from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) put forward a feasible way to synthesize environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and efficient Fe/Pt single-atom bifunctional electrocatalysts (Fe1Pt1/NC).

The related progresses were published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

Fe/Pt bimetallic single atoms was anchored on N-doped carbon derived from renewable porphyra via internal nitrogen doping of porphyra followed by nitrogen anchoring of Pt4+ in aqueous solution.

The presence of uniformly dispersed active sites of Fe-N4 and Pt-N4 endowed the Fe/Pt single-atom electrocatalysts with enhanced bifunctional electrocatalytic performance.

Fe1Pt1/NC electrocatalysts exhibited considerably improved ORR and HER electrocatalytic activity in comparison with commercial Pt/C and most previously reported electrocatalysts.

This study sheds light on the design of highly active multifunctional single-atom electrocatalysts derived from renewable biomass for practical applications in the promising hydrogen economy.


Making hydrogen energy with the common nickel


More information:
Lijuan Cao et al. Highly Active Fe/Pt Single-Atom Bifunctional Electrocatalysts on Biomass-Derived Carbon, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2020). DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c06558

Citation:
Scientists propose novel bifunctional catalysts on biomass-derived carbon (2021, January 27)
retrieved 30 January 2021
from https://phys.org/news/2021-01-scientists-bifunctional-catalysts-biomass-derived-carbon.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.


Speak Your Mind

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Get in Touch

350FansLike
100FollowersFollow
281FollowersFollow
150FollowersFollow

Recommend for You

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Subscribe and receive our weekly newsletter packed with awesome articles that really matters to you!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You might also like