Issue 31, 2019

High loading accessible active sites via designable 3D-printed metal architecture towards promoting electrocatalytic performance

Abstract

The design and development of highly efficient three-dimensional (3D) supports for electrocatalytic reactions at the boundary of gas–liquid–solid phases are vital in lowering their energy losses. However, 3D supports with geometrically complex designs are very difficult to prepare directly by conventional methods. Here we have demonstrated that high performance catalyst supports with customized three-dimensional metal architectures can be achieved through a direct 3D printing technique, which allows investigating the relationship between 3D support structures and OER performance. Such 3D supports, optimized with control over the design, can possess good electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength and large surface areas, with tunable porous and hollow structures and large holes for effective electrolyte circulation and quick removal of bubbles, all contributing to the enhanced electrocatalytic performance. Because of the large increase in the electrochemically active surface area achieved by 3D printing, when high catalytic activity NiCo2S4 nanoneedles are grown in situ on the optimized 3D support, dramatic improvements in electrochemical performance can be obtained with a low Tafel slope (38.7 mV dec−1) and overpotential (226 mV) at 10 mA cm−2. Surprisingly, at a high current density of 100 mA cm−2, the overpotential of the designed electrode is as low as 277 mV. Importantly, the NiCo2S4 coating also plays a key role in corrosion protection for the 3D-printed metal support in alkaline media. 3D printing and catalyst coating provide a flexible and versatile approach for the design and fabrication of novel support structures for electrocatalytic applications.

Graphical abstract: High loading accessible active sites via designable 3D-printed metal architecture towards promoting electrocatalytic performance

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 May 2019
Accepted
09 Jul 2019
First published
11 Jul 2019

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019,7, 18338-18347

High loading accessible active sites via designable 3D-printed metal architecture towards promoting electrocatalytic performance

S. Chang, X. Huang, C. Y. Aaron Ong, L. Zhao, L. Li, X. Wang and J. Ding, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 18338 DOI: 10.1039/C9TA05161A

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