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New insight on electrochemical reactions – advancing the green transition

Researchers at University of Jyväskylä have gained new understanding on the chemistry of electrochemical interfaces, focusing on electrolyte ion effects. This knowledge can enhance the development of improved electrochemical technologies, including fuel cells and hydrogen peroxide synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2023

GIST researchers improve water splitting reaction for green hydrogen gas production

Researchers from GIST have developed a new electrode using Schottky junctions to overcome the conductance limit of active catalysts, achieving high-performance water splitting and hydrogen evolution reactions. The electrode demonstrated remarkable current density and durability during continuous operation for 10 days.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalApplied Catalysis B Environment and Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2023

New study unveils direct synthesis of FCMs via solid-state mechanochemical reaction between graphite and PTFE

Researchers developed a novel solid-state mechanochemical reaction to synthesize FCMs from PTFE and graphite, producing materials with enhanced storage capacity and electrochemical stability. The new method bypasses toxic reagents and offers a safer alternative for practical applications.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateSep 22, 2023

New recipes for better solar fuel production

A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2023

New catalyst design for electrocatalytic acetylene semihydrogenation

Researchers at USTC developed an undercoordinated Cu nanodots catalyst for electrocatalytic acetylene semihydrogenation, achieving over 90% Faradaic efficiency and continuous synthesis of polymer-grade ethylene. The catalyst outperforms traditional thermocatalytic methods with lower energy consumption and compact reactor design.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 2023

New concept for lithium-air batteries

Researchers are working on a new concept for lithium-air batteries that could lead to significant improvements in energy storage capacity. A collaborative project in Germany aims to test new materials and components to enhance the stability of these battery cells. The goal is to overcome technical challenges such as unstable electrolyt...

Chemical crossover accelerates degradation of lithium electrode in high energy density rechargeable lithium–oxygen batteries

Researchers at NIMS found that a lithium negative electrode degrades rapidly during charge/discharge cycles, causing overpotential and short cycle life. Using a lightweight protective layer, they extended the battery's cycle life without compromising its high energy density.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Illinois Tech assistant professor publishes paper in Science on novel chemistry behind ultra-high power density batteries

Assistant Professor Mohammad Asadi has published a paper in Science describing the chemistry behind his novel lithium-air battery design, which could store one kilowatt-hour per kilogram or higher. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize heavy-duty vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and submarines.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Novel protective layer for catalysts developed by GIST scientists improves life and performance

A team of researchers from GIST created a protection layer for nickel-iron catalysts using tetraphenylporphyrin, increasing their life and performance. This innovation reduces the dissolution of iron atoms during oxygen evolution reactions, resulting in prolonged hydrogen production.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

CityU develops two novel hydrogen production catalysts based on mineral gel and "crystalline-amorphous" dual-phase nano-aluminium alloy

Researchers from City University of Hong Kong developed a new ultra-stable hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst based on two-dimensional mineral gel nanosheets. The catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity and long-term durability, with an overpotential of only 38.5 mV at 10 mA cm−2.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

CityU chemists boost eco-friendly battery performance using catalysts with unconventional phase nanostructures

Researchers have discovered an innovative way to enhance the energy efficiency of metal-carbon dioxide batteries by introducing unconventional phase nanomaterials as catalysts. The novel design boosts battery energy efficiency up to 83.8%, contributing to carbon-neutral goals.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2022

Membranes help multiply microbial CO2 munching

Researchers at KAUST developed conductive membranes that stimulate microbial growth and separate biochemical products, reducing the CO2 conversion time from over 30 days to just one month. The membranes use nickel nanoparticles to catalyze hydrogen production, enhancing efficiency and stability in microbial electrosynthesis systems.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 20, 2022

“Volcano-shaped” trend enables rational design of polysulfide catalysts in lithium–sulfur batteries

Researchers discovered a 'volcano-shaped' relationship between polysulfide adsorption and catalytic activity in lithium-sulfur batteries. This finding modifies the long-standing principle that strong adsorption leads to good catalytic activity, suggesting catalysts should be designed separately to improve performance.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJun 16, 2022

Solar hydrogen: Better photoelectrodes through flash heating

Scientists have created new photoelectrode materials with improved performance by rapidly heating metal-oxide thin films to high temperatures without damaging the underlying glass substrate. This breakthrough increases the efficiency of solar water splitting and has potential applications for producing 'green' hydrogen and quantum dots.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2022

Developing high-performance MXene electrodes for next-generation powerful battery

Scientists from City University of Hong Kong successfully developed battery-like electrochemical Nb2CTx MXene electrodes with stable voltage output and high energy density. The findings break the performance bottleneck of MXene devices, exhibiting superior rate capability, durable cyclic performance, and high energy density.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalJoule·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2021

Scientists show a single catalyst can perform the first step of turning CO2 into fuel in two very different ways

Researchers at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a new catalyst that accelerates the first step in turning carbon dioxide into fuel in two different ways: with heat and electricity. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable production of chemicals and fuels by reducing greenh...

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

2D materials may enable electric vehicles to get 500 miles on a single charge

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed 15 new types of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides that can act as catalysts in lithium-air batteries. These materials enable batteries to store up to 10 times more energy and charge faster, potentially increasing electric vehicle range to 400-500 miles on a single charge.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 10, 2019

Metallic nanocatalysts imitate the structure of enzymes

A team of researchers has successfully replicated the internal channel structures of natural enzymes in metallic nanoparticles, resulting in three times greater catalytic activity. The study focused on the oxygen reduction reaction and found that active centers within the channels enhanced reaction efficiency.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 8, 2018

Wrap an electrode material for Li-ion battery into the inner spacing of carbon nanotube

A new electrode material for lithium-ion batteries with high capacity has been proposed using phosphorus-encapsulated carbon nanotubes. The electrodes showed an improvement in electrochemical reactivity and reversible charge-discharge reactions, resulting in capacities two times higher than that of graphite used in commercial LIBs.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateMay 7, 2018

Chemistry with sunlight

A new method combining electrochemistry and photovoltaics is being explored to clean up oxidation reactions. By harnessing solar energy, the need for toxic chemicals can be eliminated, reducing environmental harm. The research aims to make chemical synthesis more efficient and environmentally friendly.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 9, 2011