Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Simple Methods for the Preparation of Non-noble Metal Bulk-electrodes for Electrocatalytic Applications
Published on: June 21, 2017
A Self-Supported Coral-like Pt/SnO2/Nb2O5/Nb Electrode: A Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Membrane-Free Green H2
Matheus Bullmann1, Andrés Cuña Suárez2,3, Edna Jerusa Pacheco Sampaio1
1Corrosion Research Laboratory (LAPEC), Engineering School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Abstract:
The production of green hydrogen via water electrolysis faces challenges due to the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction at the anode. In this study, we developed a self-supported bifunctional Pt/SnO2/Nb2O5/Nb electrocatalyst capable of coupling the hydrogen evolution reaction to the selective ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in an acidic medium. The catalyst demonstrated efficacy for the EOR, with an E onset of +130 mV versus SHE results in a peak current density of 8.97 mA cm-2. The bifunctional electrocatalyst exhibited a spontaneous and rapid increase in current for the HER, achieving an overpotential of -48 mV for a current density of 5 mA cm-2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 99.7%. This efficient coupling of the EOR with the HER reduces energy consumption for green hydrogen generation compared to traditional water splitting. With hydrogen being the sole gaseous product, the HER-EOR electrolysis system can operate effectively without a membrane, promising a more cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient green hydrogen production.
Related Concept Videos
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Electrolysis
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Voltaic/Galvanic Cells
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...
Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes

