High Efficiency Water Splitting using Ultrasound Coupled to a BaTiO3 Nanofluid. Issue 9 (27th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yan; Khanbareh, Hamideh; Dunn, Steve; Bowen, Chris R; Gong, Hanyu; Duy, Nguyen Phuc Hoang; Phuong, Pham Thi Thuy
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 9:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-01-27
• Subjects: piezoelectric -- ultrasound -- piezocatalysis -- ferroelectric -- sonochemistry; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

Abstract: To date, a number of studies have reported the use of vibrations coupled to ferroelectric materials for water splitting. However, producing a stable particle suspension for high efficiency and long‐term stability remains a challenge. Here, the first report of the production of a nanofluidic BaTiO3 suspension containing a mixture of cubic and tetragonal phases that splits water under ultrasound is provided. The BaTiO3 particle size reduces from approximately 400 nm to approximately 150 nm during the application of ultrasound and the fine‐scale nature of the particulates leads to the formation of a stable nanofluid consisting of BaTiO3 particles suspended as a nanofluid. Long‐term testing demonstrates repeatable H2 evolution over 4 days with a continuous 24 h period of stable catalysis. A maximum rate of H2 evolution is found to be 270 mmol h –1 g –1 for a loading of 5 mg l –1 of BaTiO3 in 10% MeOH/H2 O. This work indicates the potential of harnessing vibrations for water splitting in functional materials and is the first demonstration of exploiting a ferroelectric nanofluid for stable water splitting, which leads to the highest efficiency of piezoelectrically driven water splitting reported to date. Abstract : By careful control of the reactor design, the formation of a stable nanofluid, and optimization of catalyst loading is demonstrated and it is possible to enhance the rate of hydrogen evolution for long‐term piezocatalysis. This has led to the highest efficiency of piezoelectrically driven water splitting reported to date.