Issue 9, 2022

Nickel–salen as a model for bifunctional OER/UOR electrocatalysts: pyrolysis temperature–electrochemical activity interconnection

Abstract

In this study, the nickel derivative of a salen-type Schiff base was pyrolyzed under controlled conditions to form a nano-sized Ni/NiOx core–shell species that serves as a model for a proof-of-concept investigation of the relationship between pyrolysis temperature and electrocatalytic activity. The pyrolytic process was tracked via measurements of crystallinity, carbon defect, specific surface area, heterogeneous elemental doping and elemental distribution. The decomposition process was elucidated by TG-MS; the electrochemical characteristics of the residue were deduced from synchrotron XAFS combined with HRTEM, XRD and XPS (Ni(C26H28N3O4) → Ni/NiOx + (CxHy, H2, CO2 + CH3O) → Ni/NiOx@NCs). An optimized specimen (coded S–Ni-800) provided 268 mV overpotential in OERs and 1.353 V in UORs, and was stable for 15 hours in an alkaline medium. This model study underscores the importance of thermal tracking in the design of Ni-derived carbon nanomaterial electrocatalysts that are associated with OERs/UORs at low potentials.

Graphical abstract: Nickel–salen as a model for bifunctional OER/UOR electrocatalysts: pyrolysis temperature–electrochemical activity interconnection

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
28 Jan 2022
Accepted
07 Mar 2022
First published
09 Mar 2022

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2022,9, 1973-1983

Nickel–salen as a model for bifunctional OER/UOR electrocatalysts: pyrolysis temperature–electrochemical activity interconnection

L. Li, L. Wang, X. Peng, S. Tao and M. Zeng, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2022, 9, 1973 DOI: 10.1039/D2QI00226D

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