Co3O4/activated carbon nanocomposites as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.

The Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) is crucial in various processes such as hydrogen production via water splitting. Several electrocatalysts, including metal oxides, have been evaluated to enhance the reaction efficiency. Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) has been employed as a precursor to produce Co3O4, showing high OER activity. Additionally, the formation of composites with carbon-based materials improves the activity of these materials. Thus, this work focuses on synthesizing ZIF-67 and commercial activated carbon (AC) composites, which were used as precursors to obtain Co3O4/C electrocatalysts by calculating ZIF-67/CX (X = 10, 30, and 50, the mass percentage of AC). The obtained materials were thoroughly characterized by employing X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), confirming the cobalt oxide structure with a sphere-like morphology as observed in the TEM images. The presence of oxygen vacancies was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and EPR measurements. The electrocatalytic performance in the OER was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), which revealed an overpotential of 325 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and a Tafel slope value of 65.32 mV dec-1 for Co3O4/C10, superior in activity to several previously reported studies in the literature and electrochemical stability of up to 8 hours. The reduced value of charge transfer resistance, high double-layer capacitance, and the presence of Co3+ ions justify the superior performance of the Co3O4/C10 electrocatalyst.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Prevent Deleterious Effects of Rotenone on Object Novelty Recognition Memory and Kynu Expression in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a range of motor signs, but cognitive dysfunction is also observed. Supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 is expected to prevent cognitive impairment. To test this in PD, we promoted a lesion within the substantia nigra pars compacta of rats using the neurotoxin rotenone. In the sequence, the animals were supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12 for 14 consecutive days and subjected to the object recognition test. We observed an impairment in object recognition memory after rotenone administration, which was prevented by supplementation (p < 0.01). Supplementation may adjust gene expression through efficient DNA methylation. To verify this, we measured the expression and methylation of the kynureninase gene (Kynu), whose product metabolizes neurotoxic metabolites often accumulated in PD as kynurenine. Supplementation prevented the decrease in Kynu expression induced by rotenone in the substantia nigra (p < 0.05), corroborating the behavioral data. No differences were observed concerning the methylation analysis of two CpG sites in the Kynu promoter. Instead, we suggest that folic acid and vitamin B12 increased global DNA methylation, reduced the expression of Kynu inhibitors, maintained Kynu-dependent pathway homeostasis, and prevented the memory impairment induced by rotenone. Our study raises the possibility of adjuvant therapy for PD with folic acid and vitamin B12.

Nanoparticles of Mixed-Valence Oxides MnXCO3-XO4 (0 ≤ X ≤ 1) Obtained with Agar-Agar from Red Algae (Rhodophyta) for Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The development of efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of paramount importance in sustainable water-splitting technology for hydrogen production. In this context, this work reports mixed-valence oxide samples of the MnXCo3-XO4 type (0 ≤ X ≤ 1) synthesized for the first time by the proteic sol-gel method using Agar-Agar as a polymerizing agent. The powders were calcined at 1173 K, characterized by FESEM, XRD, RAMAN, UV-Vis, FT-IR, VSM, and XPS analyses, and were investigated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Through XRD analysis, it was observed that the pure cubic phase was obtained for all samples. The presence of Co3+, Co2+, Mn2+, Mn3+, and Mn4+ was confirmed by X-ray spectroscopy (XPS). Regarding the magnetic measurements, a paramagnetic behavior at 300 K was observed for all samples. As far as OER is concerned, it was investigated in an alkaline medium, where the best overpotential of 299 mV vs. RHE was observed for the sample (MnCo2O4), which is a lower value than those of noble metal electrocatalysts in the literature, together with a Tafel slope of 52 mV dec-1, and excellent electrochemical stability for 15 h. Therefore, the green synthesis method presented in this work showed great potential for obtaining electrocatalysts used in the oxygen evolution reaction for water splitting.

Metal-organic frameworks as template for synthesis of Mn3+/Mn4+ mixed valence manganese cobaltites electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction.

Cobalt-based oxides are among the most promising electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions (OER). In this context, this work reports the synthesis of manganese-doped cobaltites using the Zeolitic-Imidazolate Frameworks 67 (ZIF-67) as template. The incorporation of manganese ions into ZIF-67 structure was evaluated in ethanol and methanol, in order to obtain the best synthetic route. Non-doped (ZIF-67C) and Mn-doped cobaltites (Mn/ZIF-67C(E) and Mn/ZIF-67C(M)) were obtained after thermal treatment at 350 °C. Structural and morphological properties were investigated and presence of Mn3+ and Mn4+ was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data and magnetization curves. The electrocatalytic activity in OER was investigated in alkaline medium for manganese cobaltites, and compared to the ZIF-67C. Overpotentials to generate a current of 10 mA cm-2 were 338 mV and 356 mV for Mn/ZIF-67C(E) and Mn/ZIF-67C(M), respectively. These results are superior to those found for similar materials in the literature. The material obtained in methanol (Mn/ZIF-67C(M)) presents lower overpotential, however, shows superior electrocatalytic performance for current density above 100 mA cm-2, therefore being an efficient electrode for commercial electrolysers.

1D hollow MFe2O4 (M = Cu, Co, Ni) fibers by Solution Blow Spinning for oxygen evolution reaction.

The development of low-cost transition metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been the focus of intense research. Herein, we report for the first time the synthesis of one dimensional (1D) hollow MFe2O4 (M = Cu, Co and Ni) fibers by the Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) technique and their performance towards OER in alkaline medium. The formation mechanism of the hollow structure and the influence of the fibrillar morphology on the performance of electrocatalysts were discussed. Electrocatalytic performance to generate 10 mA cm-2 with low overpotential followed the sequence: CuFe2O4 > CoFe2O4 > NiFe2O4. The improved OER performance of hollow CuFe2O4 fibers is due to a superior number of active sites exposed to surface reactions, confirmed by a remarkable electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of 225 cm2. Solution blow spun hollow ferrite fibers showed better electrocatalytic activity towards OER than 1D, 2D and 3D ferrite-based nanostructures reported in the literature.