• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.217-222
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• 2020

The design and fabrication of catalysts with low-cost and high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have remained challenging because of the sluggish kinetics of this reaction. The key to the pursuit of efficient electrocatalysts is to design them with high surface area and more active sites. In this work, we have successfully synthesized a highly stable and active NiCo₂S₄ nanowire array on a Ni-foam substrate (NiCo₂S₄ NW/NF) via a two-step hydrothermal synthesis approach. This NiCo₂S₄ NW/NF exhibits overpotential as low as 275 mV, delivering a current density of 20 mA cm^-2 (versus reversible hydrogen electrode) with a low Tafel slope of 89 mV dec^-1 and superior long-term stability for 20 h in 1 M KOH electrolyte. The outstanding performance is ascribed to the inherent activity of the binder-free deposited, vertically aligned nanowire structure, which provides a large number of electrochemically active surface sites, accelerating electron transfer, and simultaneously enhancing the diffusion of electrolyte.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.92-97
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• 2024

To improve the efficiency of water splitting systems for hydrogen production, the high overvoltages of electrochemical reactions caused by catalysts in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER, Oxygen Evolution Reaction) must be reduced. Among them, LDH (Layered Double Hydroxide) compounds containing transition metal such as Ni, are attracting attention as catalyst materials that can replace precious metals such as platinum that are currently used. In this study, nickel foam, an inexpensive metallic porous material, was used as a support, and NiCo LDH (Layered Double Hydroxide) nanocrystals were synthesized through a hydrothermal synthesis process. In addition, changes in the shape, crystal structure, and water decomposition characteristics of the Mo-doped NiCo LDH nanocrystal samples synthesized by doping Mo to improve OER properties were observed.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.402-407
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• 2019

Water electrolysis is known as the most sustainable and clean technology to produce hydrogen gas, however, a serious drawback to commercialize this technology is due to the slow kinetics in oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Thus, we report on the nanoporous IrNi thin film that reveals a markedly enhanced OER activity, which is attained through a selective etching of Os from the IrNiOs alloy thin film. Interestingly, electrochemical selective etching of Os leads to the formation of 3-dimensionally interconnected nanoporous structure providing a high electrochemical surface area (ECSA, 80.8 ㎠), which is 90 fold higher than a bulk Ir surface (0.9 ㎠). The overpotential at the nanoporous IrNi electrode is markedly lowered to be 289 mV at 10 mA cm^-2, compared with bulk Ir (375 mV at 10 mA cm^-2). The nanoporous IrNi prepared through the selective de-alloying of Os is promising as the anode material for a water electrolyzer.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2016

An anatase TiO₂ nanotube array (NTA) was fabricated by anodization and successive heat treatments. When the anatase TiO₂ NTA was cathodically polarized, its color changed to blue, and it could be used as an electrochemically active anode for an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline water electrolysis. The structure of the blue anatase TiO₂ NTA was controlled by the anodization conditions and its catalytic activity increased with an increase of the surface area. The activity of the blue anatase TiO₂ NTA gradually reduced with the continued OER because of the partial oxidation of Ti³⁺ to Ti⁴⁺. However, an intermittent cathodic regeneration process could significantly slow its reduction rate. The blue anatase TiO₂ NTA could be an alternative anode for alkaline water electrolysis.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2009

Molten iron with 2 mass % carbon content was decarbonized at 1823 K~1923 K by bubbling $Ar+O_2$ gas through a submerged nozzle. The reaction rate was significantly influenced by the oxygen partial pressure and the gas flow rate. Little evolution of CO gas was observed in the initial 5 seconds of the oxidation; however, this was followed by a period of high evolution rate of CO gas. The partial pressure of CO gas decreased with further progress of the decarbonization. The overall reaction is decomposed to two elementary reactions: the decarbonization and the dissolution rate of oxygen. The assumptions were made that these reactions are at equilibrium and that the reaction rates are controlled by mass transfer rates within and around the gas bubble. The time variations of carbon and oxygen contents in the melt and the CO partial pressure in the off-gas under various bubbling conditions were well explained by the mathematical model. Based on the present model, it was explained that the decarbonization rate of molten iron was controlled by gas-phase mass transfer at the first stage of reaction, but the rate controlling step was transferred to liquid-phase mass transfer from one third of reaction time.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.64-70
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• 2023

Global warming is getting worse since a dramatic increase in greenhouse gas emissions recently. As a result, the necessity and implementation of carbon neutrality is required more urgently. To do this, among various new and renewable energies, attention in hydrogen arises. Hydrogen as a carbon-free power source is an abundant resource on Earth and is eco-friendly. Eventually, perfectly eco-friendly hydrogen can be obtained through electrolysis of water. However, the catalyst used in the oxygen evolution reaction is rare and expensive, and has a durability issue. Consequently, the development of a non-precious metal catalyst is necessary. In this review paper, we summarize and introduce Co- and Mo- based catalysts among recently announced oxygen evolution catalysts. This will help understand the design of catalyst to increase the activity and durability of non-precious metal catalysts.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2024

The commercialization of rechargeable metal-air batteries is extremely desirable but designing stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts with non-noble metal still has faced challenges to replace platinum-based catalysts. The nonnoble metal catalysts for ORR were prepared to improve the catalytic performance and stability by the thermal decomposition of ZIF-8 with optimum cobalt loading. The porous carbon was obtained by the calcination of ZIF-8 and different loading amounts of Co nanoparticles were anchored onto porous carbon forming a Co/PC catalyst. Co/PC composite shows a significant increase in the ORR value of current and stability (500 h) due to the good electronic conductive PCN support and optimum cobalt metal loading. The significantly improved catalytic performance is ascribed to the chemical structure, synergistic effects, porous carbon networks, and rich active sites. This method develops a new pathway for a highly active and advantageous catalyst for electrochemical devices.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2021

NiO and Co3O4-doped porous La(CoNi)O3 perovskite oxides were prepared from excess Ni addition by a hydrothermal method using porous silica template, and characterized as bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for Zn-air rechargeable batteries in alkaline solution. Excess Ni induced to form NiO and Co3O4 in La(CoNi)O3 particles. The NiO and Co3O4-doped porous La(CoNi)O3 showed high specific surface area, up to nine times of conventionally synthesized perovskite oxide, and abundant pore volume with similar structure. Extra added Ni was partially substituted for Co as B site of ABO3 perovskite structure and formed to NiO and Co3O4 which was highly dispersed in particles. Excess Ni in La(CoNi)O3 catalysts increased OER performance (259 mA/㎠ at 2.4 V) in alkaline solution, although the activities (211 mA/㎠ at 0.5 V) for ORR were not changed with the content of excess Ni. La(CoNi)O3 with excess Ni showed very stable cyclability and low capacity fading rate (0.38 & 0.07 ㎶/hour for ORR & OER) until 300 hours (~70 cycles) but more excess content of Ni in La(CoNi)O3 gave negative effect to cyclability.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 2022

Spinel ferrites (Ni_xFe_3-xO₄; x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0) have been prepared at 550℃ by egg white auto-combustion route using egg white at 550℃ and characterized by physicochemical (TGA, IR, XRD, and SEM) and electrochemical (CV and Tafel polarization) techniques. The presence of characteristic vibration peaks in FT-IR and reflection planes in XRD spectra confirmed the formation of spinel ferrites. The prepared oxides were transformed into oxide film on glassy carbon electrodes by coating oxide powder ink using the nafion solution and investigated their electrocatalytic performance for OER in an alkaline solution. The cyclic voltammograms of the oxide electrode did not show any redox peaks in oxygen overpotential regions. The iR-free Tafel polarization curves exhibited two Tafel slopes (b₁ = 59-90 mV decade^-1 and b₂ = 92-124 mV decade^-1) in lower and higher over potential regions, respectively. Ni-substitution in oxide matrix significantly improved the electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction. Based on the current density for OER, the 0.75 mol Ni-substituted oxide electrode was found to be the most active electrode among the prepared oxides and showed the highest value of apparent current density (~9 mA cm^-2 at 0.85 V) and lowest Tafel slope (59 mV decade^-1). The OER on oxide electrodes occurred via the formation of chemisorbed intermediate on the active sites of the oxide electrode and follow the second-order mechanism.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.567-575
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• 2023

Water electrolysis is undergoing active research as one of the promising technologies for producing effective green hydrogen. Using seawater directly as a raw material for a water electrolysis system can solve the problem of the limitations of existing freshwater raw materials, as seawater accounts for approximately 97% of the water on Earth. At the same time, abundant by-product materials can be obtained, representative examples of which are Cl₂, ClO^-, Br₂, and Mg(OH)₂ produced during electrolysis, depending on their composition and pH environment. In order to develop a successful seawater electrolysis system and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts, it is necessary to understand the causes and consequences of reactions that occur in the seawater environment. Therefore, in this paper, we will investigate the reaction mechanism and characteristics of the seawater electrolysis system as well as the research and development trends of electrochemical catalysts used in anode and cathode electrodes.