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Updated: May 30, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Synthesis of an imine-type nickel complex and investigation of its electrocatalytic activity for H2 evolution
Lan H Le1, Ngoc H Pham1, Phong D Tran1
1University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Hanoi Vietnam to-hai.tung@usth.edu.vn.
Abstract:
We report on the synthesis and characterization of an imine-type nickel complex produced via the complexation of an in situ generated 2-(iminomethyl)phenol ligand with NiII ion. The use of this complex as an electrocatalyst for H2 evolution in a DMF solution, with acetic acid as the proton source, was investigated in detail, employing both experimental analyses (electrochemical analysis, spectroscopy analysis) and theoretical analysis (plateau current analysis). The overpotential required for H2 evolution is about 590 mV with a faradaic efficiency of 49% after 3 hours bulk electrolysis, competing with the two-electron reduction of free-imine groups in the ligand. The maximal TOF was estimated to be about 12 860 s-1 on the basis of a CECE mechanism.
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