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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Surface reconstruction-driven WCuNiMo alloy for efficient ammonia oxidation and hydrogen evolution.
Fozia Sultana1, Jichao Shi2, Renkun Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Bio-based Fiber Materials, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China. lirenhong@zstu.edu.cn.
A novel WCuNiMo alloy catalyst efficiently produces hydrogen via ammonia oxidation and evolution reactions. Post-treatment atmosphere critically influences its nanostructure and electrocatalytic performance for renewable energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Global shift to renewable energy requires efficient electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.
- Ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are key processes for green hydrogen generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a multimetallic WCuNiMo catalyst for bifunctional AOR and HER.
- To investigate the effect of post-treatment atmosphere on catalyst structure and performance.
- To evaluate the catalyst's efficiency in an alkaline electrolyzer for hydrogen production and ammonia remediation.
Main Methods:
- Hydrothermal-calcination synthesis of WCuNiMo catalyst.
- Post-treatment under reductive (H2/Ar) and oxidative (air) atmospheres.
- Electrochemical characterization (cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy).
- In situ Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
- Assembly and testing of a model alkaline electrolyzer.
Main Results:
- WCuNiMo alloy exhibits nanostructured architecture, enhanced conductivity, and active sites.
- Catalyst shows superior bifunctional activity for AOR (1.37 V at 100 mA cm-2) and HER (186 mV at 10 mA cm-2).
- Electrolyzer with WCuNiMo catalyst achieves 1.67 V at 100 mA cm-2, high H2 evolution rate, and 64% ammonia removal over 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Calcination atmosphere significantly impacts catalyst structure and electrocatalytic functionality.
- The WCuNiMo alloy is a promising catalyst for efficient hydrogen production and ammonia wastewater treatment.
- Synergistic electronic interactions and structural features drive the catalyst's high performance.
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