Discover MaterialsPub Date : 2024-01-01Epub Date: 2024-06-25DOI: 10.1007/s43939-024-00087-5
Zishuai Zhang, Daniela Vieira, Jake E Barralet, Geraldine Merle
{"title":"Amorphous multimetal based catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction.","authors":"Zishuai Zhang, Daniela Vieira, Jake E Barralet, Geraldine Merle","doi":"10.1007/s43939-024-00087-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-024-00087-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of efficient, low-cost water splitting electrocatalysts is needed to store energy by generating sustainable hydrogen from low power clean but intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind. Here, we report a highly sustained low overpotential for oxygen evolution reached by the unique combination of three metals (NiCoV) prepared from a simple low temperature auto-combustion process. The amorphous multimetal oxygen evolving catalyst could be stably coated on a stainless-steel support using a tribochemical particle blasting method to create an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrode with a low overpotential of 230 mV at 10 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> and a low Tafel slope of 40 mV dec<sup>-1</sup>. In addition to their low overpotential, this oxygen evolving electrocatalyst preserved performance demonstrating a stability after 10 h at the technologically relevant current density and without any surface morphology alteration. Given the importance of sustainable hydrogen production, the development of this new OER catalyst points the way to removing a key technical bottleneck for the water splitting reaction and could offer a route to cost reduction and lowering hurdles to more widespread adaptation of electrolyser technologies for hydrogen production.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43939-024-00087-5.</p>","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"4 1","pages":"19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11199262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Osunmakinde, T. B. Asafa, P. Agboola, M. Durowoju
{"title":"Development of aluminum composite reinforced with selected agricultural residues","authors":"L. Osunmakinde, T. B. Asafa, P. Agboola, M. Durowoju","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00069-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00069-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"28 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138952842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The current impacts and future prospects of graphene derivatives in polymer-based supercapacitors","authors":"E. T. Mombeshora, E. Muchuweni","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00068-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00068-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"23 41","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138966331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of Pb doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties of sol–gel ZnO nanoparticles","authors":"Fatemeh Moosavi, G. Neri","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00066-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00066-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"102 1-2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139262354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A review on electrolytes for supercapacitor device","authors":"Arpit Mendhe, H. S. Panda","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00065-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00065-3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Electrodes and electrolytes have a significant impact on the performance of supercapacitors. Electrodes are responsible for various energy storage mechanisms in supercapacitors, while electrolytes are crucial for defining energy density, power density, cyclic stability, and efficiency of devices. Various electrolytes, from aqueous to ionic liquid, have been studied and implemented as potential electrolytes for supercapacitors. The ionic size, conductivity, mobility, diffusion coefficient, and viscosity of electrolytes affect the device’s capacitance. Electrode type and its interaction with electrolytes are other factors to consider when choosing an electrolyte for a supercapacitor. In this review, an attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive and straightforward overview of the numerous electrolytes widely used for supercapacitor study and how these electrolytes interact with the electrodes to improve the performance of the supercapacitors.","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134908587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fabrication of flat stainless steel substrates with improved oxidation behavior for metal-supported solid oxide cells using aqueous tape casting","authors":"Yifei Yan, Olivera Kesler","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00063-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00063-5","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract An aqueous tape casting procedure was developed and optimized to fabricate thick, flat tapes for use as porous stainless-steel substrates for metal-supported solid oxide cells (MS-SOCs). Curling tape is one of the main challenges when using aqueous based slurry formation. This work demonstrated that the sedimentation problem can be solved by increasing solid loading rather than adding excessive binder to raise viscosity. The effect of various casting surfaces on tape curling was also investigated. Materials that allow easy tape release resulted in flatter tapes once the water was evaporated. In addition, substrate oxidation resistance at high temperature was evaluated with respect to starting powder size, sintering extent, and pore former types. High sintering extent that removes or encloses the porosity between steel particles while retaining porosity left by pore formers can effectively prevent breakaway oxidation due to local chromium depletion. Carbon residue in the steel substrates from the slurry organic content can be decreased when formulating the slurry to prevent Cr-rich phase formation in the steel, which severely compromises the substrate oxidation resistance and ductility. By dwelling the substrate in high purity hydrogen, the sensitization can be reversed, but more detailed investigation of the reaction dynamics is needed. By combining the strategies described, this work produced crack-free, flat, 400–500 μm thick stainless steel substrates with 28.7 vol% porosity and improved oxidation resistance compared to previous substrates fabricated by dry pressing of fine powders.","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"27 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135567528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leonardo Francisco Gonçalves Dias, Gabriel Junior Cavalcante Pimentel, João Pedro Costa Rheinheimer, Orisson Ponce Gomes, Bianca Gottardo de Almeida, Diogo Paschoalini Volanti, Margarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida, Paulo Noronha Lisboa-Filho
{"title":"Synthesis and characterization of CuO-MgO-ZnO and CuO-Co3O4-CeO2","authors":"Leonardo Francisco Gonçalves Dias, Gabriel Junior Cavalcante Pimentel, João Pedro Costa Rheinheimer, Orisson Ponce Gomes, Bianca Gottardo de Almeida, Diogo Paschoalini Volanti, Margarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida, Paulo Noronha Lisboa-Filho","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00064-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00064-4","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The synthesis of trioxides offers unique properties for different applications due to the combination of multiple oxides; however, few studies have reported on the properties of these materials, especially in terms of their ability to create reactive oxygen species, which are helpful for antibacterial and antifungal activity. This study aimed to evaluate the surface properties of CuO-MgO-ZnO and CuO-Co 3 O 4 -CeO 2 trioxides synthesized via precipitation assisted by an ultrasonic bath or sonication. The structural analysis indicated the formation of micrometric particles consisting of individual phases of each oxide, with no apparent influence of the preparation method on their morphology. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed that CuO-MgO-ZnO particles have a band gap near 5.5 eV, while CuO-Co 3 O 4 -CeO 2 has a single value at 4.2 eV. Zeta potential measurements indicated changes in the materials' outermost layer composition due to the synthesis method. Additionally, biological assays showed that the materials could completely inhibit the growth of Candida species and Staphylococcus aureus but not Klebsiella pneumoniae . These results suggest that the materials may be suitable for self-cleaning surfaces and medical device coatings.","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"69 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134886228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adelino Handa, Rosa M. F. Baptista, Daniela Santos, Bruna Silva, João Oliveira, Bernardo Almeida, Etelvina de Matos Gomes, Michael Belsley
{"title":"Dielectric and energy harvesting properties of functionalized composite nanofibers consisting of Boc-Phe-Leu self-assembled dipeptide inclusions in biocompatible polymeric matrices","authors":"Adelino Handa, Rosa M. F. Baptista, Daniela Santos, Bruna Silva, João Oliveira, Bernardo Almeida, Etelvina de Matos Gomes, Michael Belsley","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00062-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00062-6","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Hybrid bionanomaterials were produced through electrospinning, incorporating the dipeptide Boc- l -phenylalanyl- l -leucine into nanofibers of biocompatible polymers. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the uniformity of the nanofibers, with diameters ranging from 0.56 to 1.61 µm. The dielectric properties of the nanofibers were characterized using impedance spectroscopy, assessing temperature and frequency dependencies. Notably, the composite micro/nanofibers exhibited semiconducting dielectric behavior with bandgap energies of 4–5 eV, and their analysis revealed increased dielectric constant with temperature due to enhanced charge mobility. The successful incorporation of the dipeptide was verified by Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization, and the Havriliak–Negami model disclosed insights into electric permittivity. Furthermore, the fibers demonstrated pyroelectric and piezoelectric responses, with Boc-Phe-Leu@PLLA nanofibers having the highest piezoelectric coefficient of 85 pC/N. These findings highlight the influence of dipeptide nanostructures on dielectric, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric properties, suggesting the potential of polymeric micro/nanofibers as efficient piezoelectric energy generators for portable and wearable devices. Graphical Abstract","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135961141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing the performance of MoTe2 based solar cell with Cu2O hole transport layer through device simulation","authors":"Naimur Rahman, Md. Dulal Haque, Md. Ferdous Rahman, Md. Mominul Islam, Most. Airin Nahar Juthi, Anita Rani Roy, Most. Alema Akter, Md. Foridul Islam","doi":"10.1007/s43939-023-00061-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-023-00061-7","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this study, the SCAPS-1D tool has been used to numerically examine the performance of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDC) based Molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe 2 ) solar cells containing CdS electron transport layer (ETL) and Cu 2 O hole transport layer (HTL). Based on the photovoltaic cell parameters, including absorber layer thickness, temperature, defect density, the effects of series and shunt resistance, and electron affinity, the structure of both MoTe 2 based solar cells with and without the usage of the HTL has been analyzed. With 1.1 μm thickness of MoTe 2 and doping density of 5 × 10 15 cm −3 , Al/FTO/CdS/MoTe 2 /Cu 2 O/Ni heterojunction’s solar cell proposed structure has been optimized. The final power conversion efficiency (PCE) = 32.38%, open-circuit voltage (V oc ) = 1.07 V, short-circuit current (J sc ) = 35.12 mA/cm 2 , and fill factor (FF) = 86.32% has been determined from the optimized structure. The determined results indicate a suitable path for the realization of low cost and high efficiency MoTe 2 -based solar cell.","PeriodicalId":34625,"journal":{"name":"Discover Materials","volume":"67 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135740305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}