Application of phase-pure nickel phosphide nanoparticles as cathode catalysts for hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Kyoung-Yeol; Habas, Susan E.; Schaidle, Joshua A.; Logan, Bruce E.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 293(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Phase-pure metal phosphide nanoparticles -- Microbial electrolysis cell -- Hydrogen evolution reaction -- Non-precious metal catalysts -- Fermentation effluent; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Phase-pure Ni2 P nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized onto carbon. Ni2 P/C catalyst was tested in MECs to produce hydrogen at a mild pH condition. Ni2 P/C produced a comparable quantity of hydrogen to Pt/C over a 24 h cycle. Average current density of Ni2 P/C was similar to Pt/C and stable over 11 days. All MECs had energy efficiencies higher than 100% indicating energy positive. Abstract: Transition metal phosphide catalysts such as nickel phosphide (Ni2 P) have shown excellent activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction, but they have primarily been studied in strongly acidic or alkaline electrolytes. In microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), however, the electrolyte is usually a neutral pH to support the bacteria. Carbon-supported phase-pure Ni2 P nanoparticle catalysts (Ni2 P/C) were synthesized using solution-phase methods and their performance was compared to Pt/C and Ni/C catalysts in MECs. The Ni2 P/C produced a similar quantity of hydrogen over a 24 h cycle (0.29 ± 0.04 L-H2 /L-reactor) as that obtained using Pt/C (0.32 ± 0.03 L-H2 /L) or Ni/C (0.29 ± 0.02 L-H2 /L). The mass normalized current density of the Ni2 P/C was 14 times higher than that of the Ni/C, and the Ni2 P/C exhibited stable performance over 11 days. Ni2 P/C may therefore be a useful alternative to Pt/C or other Ni-based catalysts in MECs due to its chemical stability over time.