ABSTRACT
The pseudocapacitive properties of CeO2 are largely dependent on its surface Faradaic redox reaction kinetics; however, its electrochemical performance is still limited by the low utilization due to the inefficient diffusionfreeways and the limited active sites. Herein, we prepare a 0D/3D composite composed of oxygen-deficient CeO2 quantum dots (0D) anchored on a 3D hollow porous N-doped carbon framework (CeO2-x QD@PHC) via a facile template-confined strategy followed by a chemical co-precipitation. The refined QDs and hollow structure greatly shorten the ion diffusion paths and lower the internal strain during cycling. The integration of CeO2-x QDs with PHC structure endows enriched accessible active sites and enhances the electrical properties. As a result, the optimized CeO2-x QD@PHC exhibits an improved specific capacitance and good rate performance in comparison to those of the CeO2-x-free PHC. Moreover, a symmetric supercapacitor with CeO2-x QD@PHC as an electrode is constructed, delivering a high energy density of 3.874 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 149.98 W kg-1.
ABSTRACT
Shape-controlled nanoparticles are of utmost scientific and technological importance because of their facet-dependent physical and chemical properties. Under long-term electrochemical conditions, little is known about the stability and fate of these nanoparticles with selected exposed crystallographic orientations (facets) of high surface energy, while it is generally accepted that the surface area decreases. Therefore, the reconstruction and dissolution of platinum nanocubes (Pt-NCs), platinum cuboctahedral (Pt-CO) and platinum polycrystalline (Pt-PC) nanoparticles are investigated using voltammetry and in situ irreversible adsorption of Bi and Ge; the cleanliness of the Pt nanoparticles and the purity of the electrolyte solution are established with systematic voltammetric analysis in a H2SO4 electrolyte of different concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.5 and 1 M). The voltammetric results suggest that the {100} terrace sites undergo reconstruction/dissolution at a much higher rate relative to that of the {111} ordered bi-dimensional terrace sites and the reconstruction leads to the formation of {110}/{100} step sites. Therefore, the stability of the Pt-NCs is lower than that of the Pt-CO nanoparticles. The gradual decrease in the Hupd area on prolonged cycling in the lower potential range (0.06-0.6 and 0.06-0.8 V) is attributed to the accumulation of oxy-anions from the electrolyte on the Pt surface. Moreover, dissolution of highly energetic Pt sites also contributes to the reduction in the Hupd area, unlike that observed with low index Pt single crystal surfaces. On cycling to higher potential limits (1.0 and 1.2 V), the adsorbed anions are replaced with the oxygenated species or oxide; the protective oxide layer helps to stabilize the electrochemical surface area (ESA) of the Pt nanoparticles. With cycling, both Pt-NCs and Pt-CO eventually get converted to Pt-PC. These results are supported with cyclic voltammograms, irreversible adsorption of Bi and Ge, and HR-TEM.
ABSTRACT
Shape-controlled Pt nanoparticles (cubic, tetrahedral, and cuboctahedral) are synthesized using stabilizers and capping agents. The nanoparticles are cleaned thoroughly and electrochemically characterized in acidic (0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M HClO4) and alkaline (0.1 M NaOH) electrolytes, and their features are compared to that of polycrystalline Pt. Even with less than 100% shape-selectivity and with the truncation at the edges and corners as shown by the ex-situ TEM analysis, the voltammetric features of the shape-controlled nanoparticles correlate very well with that of the respective single-crystal surfaces, particularly the voltammograms of shape-controlled nanoparticles of relatively larger size. Shape-controlled nanoparticles of smaller size show somewhat higher contributions from the other orientations as well because of the unavoidable contribution from the truncation at the edges and corners. The Cu stripping voltammograms qualitatively correlate with the TEM analysis and the voltammograms. The fractions of low-index crystallographic orientations are estimated through the irreversible adsorption of Ge and Bi. Pt-nanocubes with dominant {100} facets are the most active toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in strongly adsorbing H2SO4 electrolytes, while Pt-tetrahedral with dominant {111} facets is the most active in 0.1 M HClO4 and 0.1 M NaOH electrolytes. The difference in ORR activity is attributed to both the structure-sensitivity of the catalyst and the inhibiting effect of the anions present in the electrolytes. Moreover, the percentage of peroxide generation is 1.5-5% in weakly adsorbing (0.1 M HClO4) electrolytes and 5-12% in strongly adsorbing (0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M NaOH) electrolytes.
