ChemElectroChem最新文献

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is one of the most promising and appealing strategies for converting sunlight into sustainable hydrogen energy and has received increasing attention. Among the potential photocatalysts, BiVO₄ has attracted particular attention as a photoanode material because of its appropriate bandgap (2.4 eV) and favorable band-edge position. Moreover, its carrier mobility and hole-diffusion length are modest, and the photocurrent density is below the theoretical expectation (7.5 mA cm⁻²). Recently, diverse strategies have been developed to improve the performance of BiVO₄-based photoanodes with rapid progress. In this article, engineering strategies including facet tailoring, intrinsic and extrinsic doping, surface modification, are summarized, and remaining challenges and perspective for the future research are provided.

In this Editorial, we look back at how we celebrated the 10^th anniversary of ChemElectroChem in 2024.

In this work, the effect of the simulated body fluid temperature on the electrical interface parameters of the state-of-the-art PEDOT-PSS electrode was studied. PEDOT-PSS was synthesized by electrodeposition on graphite and gold-coated-graphite electrodes. All electrochemical measurements were performed in phosphate-buffered saline aqueous solution (pH 7.4) at room temperature (25 °C) and body temperature (37 °C). The results of the work confirmed that the modification of the carbon or metallic electrode with conducting polymer PEDOT : PSS significantly reduced the interfacial impedance and improved charge storage capacity and current injection limit due to its high electroactive surface area, roughness and porosity compared to the bare substrates. The work showed that solution temperature is a critical factor that can influence the electrical interface parameters of electrodes for neural stimulation. Understanding and controlling these temperature-dependent effects are essential for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficacy of neural stimulation applications in both research and clinical settings.

The future of energy storage demands not just efficiency but sustainability. Current battery technologies, relying on finite resources materials, face critical challenges related to environmental impact and safety. This Perspective explores the transformative potential of biomaterials – specifically biopolymers, bioinspired redox molecules, and bio-derived gels – in contributing to sustainable energy storage. Highlighting recent advancements, we focus on the integration of natural and bioinspired materials as binders, electrodes, and electrolytes. These innovations present viable alternatives to traditional, non-biodegradable battery components while opening new frontiers in 3D printing, bio-based thick electrodes, and solid-state electrolytes. Despite challenges such as scalability and long-term stability, biomaterials hold the key to reshaping the landscape of energy storage technologies, offering a path toward a greener, safer, and more efficient future.

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to ethylene (C₂H₄) is one of the most promising approaches to obtaining value-added C₂₊ hydrocarbons without net CO₂ emission. However, issues still to be solved for practical use include the improvement of Faradaic efficiency (FE) towards C₂H₄, electrode durability, and suppression of competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, hydrophobic polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), added porous Cu electrocatalysts were firstly and successfully prepared on gas diffusion layer, and the significant enhancement of FEs toward C₂₊ products, especially C₂H₄, and durability were found. CO₂RR test in flow cell as a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) revealed that the GDE with porous Cu electrocatalysts showed higher FE(C₂H₄) to FE(CO) while significant HER and instability issues remained. Further modification by PTFE to form porous Cu-PTFE hybrid structure significantly decreased FE(H₂) to 11.6 % in minimum, enhanced FE(C₂H₄) to 51.1 % in maximum and raised durable CO₂RR for over 24 hours under current density of −300 mA cm⁻². PTFE addition should form a secured pathway for gas species, including both reactant and product which was beneficial for durable and selective C₂H₄ production. This work highlights chemical engineering aspects of CO₂RR including the transportation of reactants and products.

The Front Cover shows how the most typical elements present in electrochemistry work together to power and light up the 10th anniversary sign celebrating the last decade of excellent research published in ChemElectroChem. Cover art by Tomáš Belloň (IOCB Prague).

Sustainability is an imperative requirement in this era, with electrocatalytic power into fuels technologies emerging as a significant route toward sustainable chemistry. One of the focus areas within the chemical industry is capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and its electrochemical reduction (eCO₂RR) into economically viable commodities through the utilization of renewable sources. Despite some specific eCO₂RR technologies being poised for market introduction, the development of a comprehensive technology for eCO₂RR remains a challenge. While certain technologies targeting specific eCO₂RR products are on the verge of deployment, substantial efforts are still necessary to transition and establish presence in the market over conventional technologies. This review highlights recent technological advancements, fundamental studies, and the persisting challenges from an industrial perspective. We take a deep dive into the research methodologies, strategies, challenges, and advancements in the development of applications for eCO₂RR. Specifically, three eCO₂RR products – CO, HCOOH, and C₂H₄ – as promising candidates for implementation are elaborated based on techno-economic considerations. Additionally, the review discusses the industrial blueprint for these products, aiming to streamline their path toward commercialization. The intent is to present the status of eCO₂RR, offering insights into its potential transformation from a mere laboratory curiosity to a feasible technology for industrial chemical synthesis.

Cryogels made of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) are a unique material class with a high specific surface area and tunable microstructure. Flash freezing of the nanoparticle building blocks and subsequent freeze-drying of the gels, the so-called cryoaerogelation, allows significant control over morphology, stability and improved electrocatalytic performance. In the present work, the first bimetallic Pt/Pd cryogel films of mixed Pt and Pd NPs are prepared in different molar ratios. High-resolution microscopic and spectroscopic characterization techniques are applied to confirm the final Pt : Pd ratio besides the distribution of nanoparticles throughout the cryogel structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the different prepared cryogel films show a cellular to dendritic superstructure regardless of the Pt and/or Pd composition in a highly reproducible manner. Elemental analysis shows homogenous distribution of Pt and Pd NPs at the microscale for all samples. Since the prepared materials are of utmost importance for catalytic applications, their electrocatalytic activity toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is investigated. Fine-tuning the concentration of the building blocks, the structure, thickness, and composition of the porous coatings enables high electrocatalytic activity to be achieved. Cryogel thin films with an atomic ratio of 1 : 4 Pt : Pd have the highest electrocatalytic activity for EOR.

This study presents the correlation between electrolyte pH, surface morphology, chemical speciation and electro-catalytic oxygen evolution activity of additive-free electrodeposited NiFe catalysts for application in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. Spherical morphologies were identified at pH 0, shifting towards honey-combed structures at pH 4 with increasing surface area, especially at pH 3. Further, the electrolyte pH was found to influence the NiFe composition and electro-catalytic activity. Enhanced OER activity was noted at pH 2 with overpotentials of 214 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and 267 mV at 100 mA cm⁻². The results reveal that the electrolyte pH is a parameter not only influencing the morphology but also tailoring the surface area, Fe oxide and Fe hydroxide composition and consequently the catalytic activity. Further, the outcomes highlight the electrolyte pH as a key process parameter that should be adjusted according to the application, and may substitute the addition of electrolyte-additives, proposing a simpler method for improving catalyst electrodeposition.

Investigating the ORR under practical conditions is vital for optimizing metal–air batteries and alkaline fuel cells. Herein, we characterized Pt and Ag gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) in a GDE half-cell in high alkaline concentrations at elevated temperatures by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) combined with the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis. The Pt catalyst's polarization curve displays substantial losses below 0.82 V vs. RHE. The DRT analysis reveals significantly increased charge transfer resistance and a decelerated ORR at that potential. RRDE measurements attributed the polarization loss observed for Pt catalysts to increased peroxide formation in this potential region triggered by the desorption of oxygenated species. Therefore, the ORR activity of Ag exceeds some of the here-used Pt catalysts at high current densities. This work combines the benefits of the RRDE and the GDE half-cell to study catalysts and identify the reaction mechanisms under conditions relevant to practical fuel cells and batteries. Moreover, the DRT analysis is introduced as an analytical tool to determine the charge transfer resistance contribution and the corresponding frequency of the ORR.