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Scalable Solution-processed Fabrication Strategy for High-performance, Flexible, Transparent Electrodes with Embedded Metal Mesh
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Scalable Design of Ru-Embedded Carbon Fabric Using Conventional Carbon Fiber Processing for Robust Electrocatalysts
Seok-Jin Kim1,2,3, Ga-Hyeun Lee4, Jung-Eun Lee4
1School of Energy and Chemical Engineering/Center for Dimension-Controllable Organic Frameworks (CDCOF), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 5, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed scalable ruthenium surface-embedded fabric electrocatalysts (Ru-SFECs) for efficient hydrogen evolution. These stable, binder-free catalysts offer a promising alternative to traditional metal-carbon composites.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Metal-carbon composites are widely used as electrochemical catalysts.
- Challenges exist in their mass production and long-term stability.
- Developing stable and scalable electrocatalysts is crucial for energy applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable manufacturing process for ruthenium surface-embedded fabric electrocatalysts (Ru-SFECs).
- To evaluate the catalytic activity and stability of Ru-SFECs for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- To establish a general framework for designing stable, binder-free electrocatalytic electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Ru-SFECs using conventional fiber/fabric manufacturing techniques.
- Optimization of fiber processing parameters (tension, temperature) for structural development.
- Electrochemical testing of Ru-SFECs for HER in alkaline media, including long-term cycling stability.
Main Results:
- Ru-SFECs demonstrated excellent catalytic activity and stability for HER.
- Achieved a low overpotential of 11.9 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 M aq KOH.
- Exhibited superior stability compared to commercial Pt/C, with only a 6.5% overpotential increase after 10,000 cycles.
Conclusions:
- Scalable manufacturing of Ru-SFECs is feasible via conventional fiber processing.
- Ru-SFECs offer a stable, binder-free, and high-performance alternative for electrocatalysis.
- The study provides a general framework for designing advanced self-supporting electrocatalytic electrodes.
