Kleinfrank7208

RuO2/TiO2 catalysts have shown broad use in promoting a variety of photocatalytic phenomena, such as water splitting and the photodecomposition of organic dyes and pollutants. Most current methods of photodepositing ruthenium oxide species (RuO x ) onto titanium dioxide (TiO2) films involve precursors that are either difficult to produce and prone to decomposition, such as RuO4, or require high-temperature oxidations, which can reduce the quality of the resulting catalyst and increase the risks and toxicity of the procedure. The present work demonstrates the photodeposition of RuO x onto TiO2 films, using potassium perruthenate (KRuO4) as a precursor, by improving substantially a procedure known to work on TiO2 nanopowders. In addition to demonstrating the applicability of this method of photodeposition to TiO2 films, this work also explores the importance of the material phase of the TiO2 substrate, outlines viable concentrations and photodeposition times at a given optical intensity, and demonstrates that the morphology of the photodeposited nanostructures changes from cauliflower-like spheroids to a matted, porous sponge-like structure with the addition of methanol to the precursor solution. This morphology change has not been documented previously. By providing an explanation for this difference in the morphology, this work provides both newer insights into the photodeposition process and provides an excellent foundation for future procedures, allowing a more targeted and controlled deposition based on the desired morphology.Despite its importance, limited representations of the anthracite models have been developed. The first molecular representation of Chinese Jincheng anthracite with the incorporation of diverse molecular structures was constructed based on the available analytical data. Three hundred individual aromatic sheets were first built based on the aromatic fringe distribution obtained from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Alkyl chains and nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen heteroatoms were added in the aromatic skeletons to form diverse anthracite structural units based on 13C NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultimate analyses. Fifty-five different anthracite molecules were formed by covalent cross-linking considering the constraint imposed by the molecular weight distribution of the Jincheng anthracite obtained from laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD-TOF MS). These molecules were packed into a three-dimensional cell to form a Jincheng anthracite model (C7730H3916O133N123S25). We showed that the proposed model can provide a reasonable representation of the Jincheng anthracite by comparing the simulated and experimental magnetic resonance spectroscopy, LD-TOF MS, density, and X-ray diffraction data. Because of the large, molecularly diverse structure, many anthracite behavioral processes can be further explored using this model in the future.Oxygen evolution reaction is of immense importance and is vitally necessary for devices such as electrolyzers, fuel cells, and other solar and chemical energy conversion devices. The major challenges that remain in this quest are due to the lack of effective catalytic assemblages operating with optimum efficiency and obtainable following much simpler setups and easily accessible methods. Here, we demonstrate that the robust electrocatalytic activity toward water oxidation can be achieved employing straightforwardly obtainable nanoscale electrocatalysts derived from easily made colloidal-cobalt nanoparticles (Co-CNPs) prepared in clean carbonate systems. Thin-film non-noble metal nanoscale electrocatalysts such as simple Co-CNPs/FTO and annealed Co-CNPs/FTO250 and Co-CNPs/FTO500 obtained by depositing Co-CNPs on the FTO substrate are shown to initiate water oxidation at much lower overpotentials such as just 240 mV for Co-CNPs/FTO250 under mildly alkaline conditions while demonstrating an impressive Tafel slope of just 40 mV dec-1. Furthermore, the robust catalyst demonstrated a high electrochemical surface area of 91 cm2 and high turnover frequency and mass activity of 0.26 s-1 and 18.84 mA mg-1, respectively, just at 0.35 V, and superior durability during long-term electrolysis. These outstanding catalytic outcomes using easily prepared Co-CNPs/FTO250-type catalytic systems are comparable and even better than other noble and non-noble metal-based nanoscale catalytic assemblages obtained by much difficult methods. Most advantageously, the colloidal route also offers the easiest approach of incorporating carbon contents in the catalytic layer, which can ultimately increase mechanical stability and mass transfer capability of the system.Electrochemical water splitting is a key process in many electrochemical energy conversion and storage phenomena. Indisulam inhibitor Simple synthesis methods to make highly porous and active nanostructured catalytic materials with large electroactive surface areas are very important to implement water-to-fuel conversion schemes. Herein, ultrafine, transparent thin-film nickel-oxide (NiO x ) nanoflakes are facilely synthesized following a simple spray-coating method from a solution-phase precursor. The NiO x nanoscale structures are grown on the FTO surface in the form of highly uniform smooth thin films. They are employed as promising bifunctional electrocatalysts for the overall water splitting process under alkaline conditions. During water oxidation catalysis, NiO x -SC/FTO initiates the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at an overpotential η of just 250 mV while generating current decade at just 300 mV and demonstrates well-balanced kinetics toward OER. 10 mA cm-2 current density remains persistent for many hours of continuous electrolysis at just 1.53 VRHE illustrating high robustness of the system. The catalyst also showed substantial activity and durability toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under the same electrochemical conditions. Tafel slopes of just 57 and 89 mV dec-1 for OER and HER in 0.5 M aqueous KOH solution, respectively, showing high intrinsic kinetics for electrocatalysis. Having high electrochemical surface area and an optimum number of electrochemically active sites, these transparent NiO x thin films can be advantageously combined with photoelectrochemical devices for light-driven water-to-fuel conversion systems.