• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.220-237
• /
• 2020

Modern electrochemical energy devices involve generation and reduction of fuel gases through electrochemical reactions of water splitting, alcohol oxidation, oxygen reduction, etc. Initially, these processes were executed in the presence of noble metal-based catalyst that showed low overpotential and high current density. However, its high cost, unavailability, corrosion and related toxicity limited its application. The search for alternative with high stability, durability, and efficiency led scientists towards carbon nanoparticles supported catalysts which has high surface area, good electrical conductivity, tunable morphology, low cost, ease of synthesis and stability. Carbon nanoparticles are classified into two groups based on morphology, one and zero dimensional particles. Carbon nanoparticles at zero dimension, denoted as carbon dots, are less used carbon support compared to other forms. However, recently carbon dots with improved electronic properties have become popular as catalyst as well as catalyst support. This review focused on the recent advances in electrocatalytic activities of carbon dots. The mechanisms of common electrocatalytic reactions and the role of the catalysts are also discussed. The review also proposed future developments and other research directions to overcome current limitations.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.769-777
• /
• 2013

The effect of operating conditions (temperature and the partial pressures of H2 and CO) on the reaction rate of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were investigated by carrying out experiments according to a Box-Behnken design (BBD), and were mathematically modeled by using response surface methodology (RSM). The catalyst used was a nano-structured cobalt/manganese oxide catalyst, which was prepared by thermal decomposition. The rate of synthesis was measured in a fixed-bed micro reactor with $H_2/CO$ molar feed ratio of 0.32-3.11 and reactor pressure in the range of 3-9.33 bar at space velocity of $3600h^{-1}$ and a temperature range of 463.15-503.15 K, under differential conditions (CO conversion below 2%). The results indicated that in the present experimental setup, the temperature and the partial pressure of CO were the most significant variables affecting reaction rate. Based on statistical analysis the quadratic model of reaction rate of FTS was highly significant as p-value 0.0002.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.332-336
• /
• 2018

Alkaline oxygen electrocatalysis, targeting anion exchange membrane alkaline-based metal-air batteries has become a subject of intensive investigation because of its advantages compared to its acidic counterparts in reaction kinetics and materials stability. However, significant breakthroughs in the design and synthesis of efficient oxygen reduction catalysts from earth-abundant elements instead of precious metals in alkaline media still remain in high demand. One of the most inexpensive alternatives is carbonaceous materials, which have attracted extensive attention either as catalyst supports or as metal-free cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction. Also, carbon composite materials have been recognized as the most promising because of their reasonable balance between catalytic activity, durability, and cost. In particular, heteroatom (e.g., N, B, S or P) doping on carbon materials can tune the electronic and geometric properties of carbon, providing more active sites and enhancing the interaction between carbon structure and active sites. Here, we focused on boron and nitrogen doped nanocarbon composit (BNC nanocarbon) catalysts synthesized by a solution plasma process using the simple precursor of pyridine and boric acid without further annealing process. Additionally, guidance for rational design and synthesis of alkaline ORR catalysts with improved activity is also presented.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.598-603
• /
• 2023

Electrochemical ammonia production using catalysts offers a promising alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process, allowing for ambient temperature and pressure conditions, environmentally friendly operations, and high-purity ammonia production. In this study, we focus on the nitrogen reduction reactions occurring on the surfaces of ruthenium catalysts, employing first-principles calculations. By modeling reaction pathways for nitrogen reduction on the (0001) and (1000) surfaces of ruthenium, we optimized the reaction structures and predicted favorable pathways for each step. We found that the adsorption configuration of N₂ on each surface significantly influenced subsequent reaction activities. On the (0001) surface of ruthenium, the end-on configuration, where nitrogen molecules adsorb perpendicularly to the surface, exhibited the most favorable N₂ adsorption energy. Similarly, on the (1000) surface, the end-on configuration showed the most stable adsorption energy values. Subsequently, through optimized hydrogen adsorption in both distal and alternating configurations, we theoretically elucidated the complete reaction pathways required for the final desorption of NH₃.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2015

In this study, we evaluate catalytic activity of Pd/C catalyst that is synthesized by modified polyol method. With such formed Pd/C is used as anodic catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) and performances of the DFAFC are measured to verify whether the new catalyst is effective for enhancing DFAFC performance and to determine optimal loadings of the Pd/C needed for obtaining best DFAFC performance. Pd particle distribution of the Pd/C catalyst is analyzed by TEM, while its catalytic activity is estimated by using cyclic voltammogram (CV) as measuring formic acid oxidation reaction and active surface area. As a result of that, the Pd/C catalyst synthesized by modified polyol shows better catalytic activity and DFAFC performance with small loading amount of Pd/C. When loading amount of Pd/C is $1.5mgcm^{-2}$, maximum power density of DFAFC adopting the catalyst is $122mWcm^{-2}$.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.271-274
• /
• 2008

In this work, the feasibility of spent zeolite catalyst for reusing as a support was investigated in catalytic odor removal reaction. As a model reaction for odor removal, toluene was selected as a reactant. 10wt% Cu was impregnated on spent HZSM-5 catalyst and spent FCC catalyst. The catalytic activity of the spent HZSM-S was higher than that of spent FCC catalyst in toluene oxidation. This was due to the fact that the surface area of spent HZSM-S was higher than that of spent FCC catalyst. These results may suggest that spent HZSM-S can be reused as a cheap catalyst for toluene removal.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.539-548
• /
• 2016

The non-noble 1D nanofibers(NFs) prepared by electrospinning and calcination method were used as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst for water electrolysis. The electrospinning process and rate of solution composition was optimized to prepare uniform and non-beaded PVP polymer electrospun NFs. The diameter and morphology of PVP NFs changed in accordance with the viscosity and ion conductivity. The clean metal precursor contained electrospun fibers were synthesized via the optimized electrospinning process and solution composition. The calcined $CuCo_2O_4$ NFs catalyst showed higher activity and long-term cycle stability for OER compared with other $Co_3O_4$, $NiCo_2O$ NF catalysts. Furthermore, the $CuCo_2O_4$ NFs maintained the OER activity during long-term cycle test compared with commercial $CuCo_2O_4$ nanoparticle catalyst due to unique physicochemical and electrochemical properties by1D nanostructure.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.215-223
• /
• 1990

The effects of sulfur on the catalytic reaction between CO and NO on polycrystalline Pt surface, which is very important in the development of catalyst for automobile exhaust gas control, have been studied using thermal desorption spectrometry(TDS) under ultra-high vacuum(UHV) conditions. Sulfur weakened both the adsorptions of CO and NO by direct site blocking and indirect electronic effect. S(a) desorbing below 800 K gave little effect on reaction activity whereas S(a) desorbing above 800 K, which adsorbs as an atomic state, gave much effect on it. The adsorbed sulfur existed on the surface of platinum in the form of islands, and also reduced the adsorption energies of adsorbates by the long-ranged electronic effect. The platinum catalyst in the reaction between CO and NO was poisoned selectively by S(a), poisoning firstly the active sites of this reaction.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.620-626
• /
• 2019

In this study, the effects of the structural properties of the catalyst on CO oxidation reaction by controlling the $Cu/CeO_2$ catalyst amount and calcination temperature were studied, and also the CO conversion rate of the catalyst at the temperature range of $100{\sim}300^{\circ}C$ was evaluated. XRD, Raman, BET, $H_2-TPR$, and XPS analyses were performed to confirm the effect of changes in the structural properties on the chemical properties of the catalyst. The result confirmed that a substitution bond between Cu and Ce was formed and a lot of Cu and Ce bonds were formed when the catalyst carrying 5 wt.%. Of Cu was calcined at $400^{\circ}C$. The Cu-Ce binding was confirmed by peak shifts in Raman analysis and also peaks appeared in $H_2-TPR$. In addition, the balance state analysis demonstrated that a lot of surface labile oxygen molecules are formed, which can be more easily contributed to the reaction with $Ce^{3+}$ species known to form a substitution bond easily. It was found that CO conversion rate of the catalyst used in this study was close to 100% at $150^{\circ}C$.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.24 no.9
• /
• pp.1264-1276
• /
• 2000

Light-off catalyst has been used for minimization of cold-start emissions. Improved cold-start performance of light-off catalyst needs the optimal design in terms of flow distribution, geometric surface area, precious metal loading, cell density and space velocity. In this study, these influential factors are numerically investigated using integrated numerical technique by considering not only 3-D fluid flow but also heat and mass transfer with chemical reactions. The present results indicate that uneven catalyst loading of depositing high active catalyst at upstream of monolith is beneficial during warm-up period but its effect is severely deteriorated when the space velocity is above 100,000 $hr^{-1}$ To maximize light-off performance, this study suggests that 1) a light-off catalyst be designed double substrate type; 2) the substrate with high GSA and high PM loading at face be placed at the front monolith; and 3) the cell density of the rear monolith be lower to reduce the pressure drop.