Excavated Rh nanobranches boost ethanol electro-oxidation. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Huiqi; Fan, Qiyuan; Ye, Jinyu; Cao, Zhenming; Ma, Zifan; Jiang, Yaqi; Zhang, Jiawei; Cheng, Jun; Xie, Zhaoxiong; Zheng, Lansun
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 11(2019)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Rhodium -- Excavated -- High-energy facets -- Surface structure -- Ethanol electro-oxidation -- CC bond cleavage; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2018.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: Direct ethanol fuel cells are a type of promising energy conversion device with high energy density, and their commercialization is still impeded by incomplete oxidation of ethanol on available electrocatalysts. Herein, a kind of novel excavated Rhodium (Rh) nanobranches constructed by ultrathin nanosheets with high-energy {110} facets and high surface area was successfully synthesized, which shows a high selectivity of complete oxidation ethanol to CO2 up to 15.8% (at 0.0 V vs Hg/HgO) in alkaline solution, outperforming currently reported monometallic electro-catalysts. The in situ Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy and density function theory calculations demonstrated that the CC bond cleavage of ethanol is very sensitive to the structure of Rh crystallites, and the unique {110} facets and excavated polyhedral morphology endow the Rh electro-catalysts with unexpected high selectivity, as well as high electro-catalytic activity and great structural stability. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Synthesis of excavated Rh nanobranches. Possessing of high-energy {110} facets and large specific surface area. Performance of excellent electro-catalytic activity. Performance of enhanced selectivity of breaking CC bond towards EOR. CC bond cleavage of ethanol is very sensitive to the structure of Rh crystallites.