ABSTRACT
Addressing the challenge of sluggish kinetics and limited stability in alkaline oxygen evolution reactions, recent exploration of novel electrochemical catalysts offers improved prospects. To expedite the assessment of these catalysts, a half-cell rotating disk electrode is often favored for its simplicity. However, the actual catalyst performance strongly depends on the fabricated catalyst layers, which encounter mass transport overpotentials. We systematically investigate the role and sequence of electrode drop-casting methods onto a glassy carbon electrode regarding the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction. The catalyst layer without Nafion experiences nearly 50% activity loss post stability test, while those with Nafion exhibit less than 5% activity loss. Additionally, the sequence of application of the catalyst and Nafion also shows a significant effect on catalyst stability. The catalyst activity increases by roughly 20% after the stability test when the catalyst layer is coated first with an ionomer layer, followed by drop-casting the catalysts. Based on the half-cell results, the Nafion ionomer not only acts as a binder in the catalyst layer but also enhances the interfacial interaction between the catalyst and electrolyte, promoting performance and stability. This study provides new insights into the efficient and accurate evaluation of electrocatalyst performance and stability as well as the role of Nafion ionomer in the catalyst layer.
ABSTRACT
This data provides the fuel cell performance of Nafion based hybrid membranes containing GO and dihydrogen phosphate functionalized ionic liquid (IL) at 70 °C under anhydrous condition. Readers are requested to go through the article entitled "Nafion® based hybrid composite membrane containing GO and dihydrogen phosphate functionalized ionic liquid for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell" (Maiti et al., 2017) [1] for further interpretation and discussion.
ABSTRACT
The present study reports the use of water soluble sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) nanorods as a versatile template for generation of tubular copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructures. The Na2SO4 nanorods were synthesized from ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), under refluxing condition. The shape and morphology control of the Na2SO4 nanorods were studied with respect to nature of surfactant used and reactant mole ratio. While, PVP mole ratio was important to obtain homogeneous nanorods. Uniform and stable nanotubes of CuS were than obtained by the dissolution of the nanorods in water. The use of simple chemicals for synthesis of such nanotube templates opens the prospect for wide scale downstream applications.