Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SMARTELECTRODES (Multiscaled Smart Metallic and Semiconductor Electrodes for Electrochemical Processing and Devices)
Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31
The main scientific objectives of SMARTELECTRODES project were focused on the elaboration of advanced systems, which play significant roles in several important electrochemical/electrophysical applications such as catalysis/electrocatalysis, sensoring, thermoelectrics, electrowinning, electrochemical machining and electrospark alloying. Namely, new metallic and semiconductor materials were produced based on:
I. chalcogenides;
II. iron group metals;
III. “technological” electrodes
New materials and smart applications were elaborated based on:
- Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) belongs to a class of materials called transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and it acts as an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst in acidic media. It accelerates the Volmer reaction in the hydrogen evolution process, because H+-ions are readily adsorbed onto the active sites of MoS2. Therefore, in order to create efficient catalytic electrodes, the catalyst has to be dispersed on a large surface area, which was achieved in our project (Fig. 1).
- Electrochemical assembly of superlattice structures of (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series composed of bismuth telluride quintuples and bismuth biatomic layers with variable and controlled ratio of the both components was developed (Fig. 2)
- Fenton reaction is a process that uses iron and hydrogen peroxide to degrade organic pollutants in water, including the azo dye methyl orange. In this process, the iron acts as a catalyst to increase the reactivity of hydrogen peroxide, breaking down the methyl orange into simpler, less harmful compounds. The effectiveness of the Fenton reaction was improved through the use of iron-copper (Fe/Cu) catalysts, which increase the surface area available for reaction and increase the rate of degradation (Fig. 3).
- Fe-Ga alloys have become a promising material for micro- and nanofabrication technologies due to their unique combination of magnetic and mechanical properties, including high magnetostriction. The ability to change dimensions in response to external magnetic fields makes Fe-Ga alloys especially valuable. The synthesized new porous Fe-Ga films offer potential for the development of strain-engineered nanomaterials such as energy transducers or magnetoelectric composites (Fig. 4).
I. chalcogenides;
II. iron group metals;
III. “technological” electrodes
New materials and smart applications were elaborated based on:
- Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) belongs to a class of materials called transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and it acts as an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst in acidic media. It accelerates the Volmer reaction in the hydrogen evolution process, because H+-ions are readily adsorbed onto the active sites of MoS2. Therefore, in order to create efficient catalytic electrodes, the catalyst has to be dispersed on a large surface area, which was achieved in our project (Fig. 1).
- Electrochemical assembly of superlattice structures of (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series composed of bismuth telluride quintuples and bismuth biatomic layers with variable and controlled ratio of the both components was developed (Fig. 2)
- Fenton reaction is a process that uses iron and hydrogen peroxide to degrade organic pollutants in water, including the azo dye methyl orange. In this process, the iron acts as a catalyst to increase the reactivity of hydrogen peroxide, breaking down the methyl orange into simpler, less harmful compounds. The effectiveness of the Fenton reaction was improved through the use of iron-copper (Fe/Cu) catalysts, which increase the surface area available for reaction and increase the rate of degradation (Fig. 3).
- Fe-Ga alloys have become a promising material for micro- and nanofabrication technologies due to their unique combination of magnetic and mechanical properties, including high magnetostriction. The ability to change dimensions in response to external magnetic fields makes Fe-Ga alloys especially valuable. The synthesized new porous Fe-Ga films offer potential for the development of strain-engineered nanomaterials such as energy transducers or magnetoelectric composites (Fig. 4).
The major findings of the project are related to:
- highly HER active MoS2 films were electrochemically deposited onto versatile surfaces. The best HER could be reached with MoS2 films that had been deposited on 3D copper foam electrodes. Furthermore, MoS2 was combined with WO3 in order to create multi-functional composites that can act as photoanodes and electrocatalytic cathodes. This was achieved by carrying out plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of W in an electrolyte also containing precursor MoS2. The resulting WO3+MoSx composite is comprised of monoclinic WO3 and non-stoichiometric MoSx. Due to this composition the composite can be used as a photoanode for photooxidation/water splitting, but also as an electrocatalyst for cathodic HER.
-Superlattice structures of (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series composed of bismuth telluride quintuples and bismuth biatomic layers with variable and controlled ratio of the both components was developed. The inclusion of biatomic layers of bismuth between Bi2Te3 quintuples results from their characteristic redox properties, which were also characterized in depth, resulting in the development of the combined procedures of superlattices electrodeposition and further electrochemical modification for the knowledge based design of new materials, in particular materials for thermoelectric applications. Peculiar properties of metal adlayers which were essential for the pulsed electrodeposition of superlattices were also investigated in depth on various materials, including semiconductor quantum dots. This resulted in the discovery of Cd2+ upd potential dependence on CdSe duantum dot (QD) size, which provides a new electrochemical means to measure QD sizes.
- The developed porous Fe/Cu catalysts can effectively decolorize methyl orange at high concentrations within a short time, making it a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solution for treating azo dyes in water. The optimization of conditions such as hydrogen peroxide concentration, temperature, and catalyst loading can further improve the performance of the Fenton reaction for the removal of methyl orange from water.
- In the project, macroporous Fe-Ga films were prepared through electrodeposition on silicon substrates templated by sub-micrometer polystyrene spheres. The composition of the films was adjusted (2-40 at.% Ga) by varying the electrodeposition conditions. The mechanical and magnetic properties of the films were evaluated for optimal performance. The magnetostriction was examined through X-ray diffraction under in-situ magnetic field conditions. The results showed that the magnetic-field-induced crystal deformation in templated, macroporous films was larger compared to non-templated and fully dense films. These effects in porous Fe-Ga films offer potential for the development of strain-engineered nanomaterials such as energy transducers or magnetoelectric composites.
The project achievements for reporting period noticeably contributed to the scientific progress in the field:
- 18 publications, (https://www.smartelectrodes.eu/disseminationcommunication/publications/(opens in new window)).
- 13 international conferences/events, (https://www.smartelectrodes.eu/disseminationcommunication/conferences/(opens in new window))
- highly HER active MoS2 films were electrochemically deposited onto versatile surfaces. The best HER could be reached with MoS2 films that had been deposited on 3D copper foam electrodes. Furthermore, MoS2 was combined with WO3 in order to create multi-functional composites that can act as photoanodes and electrocatalytic cathodes. This was achieved by carrying out plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of W in an electrolyte also containing precursor MoS2. The resulting WO3+MoSx composite is comprised of monoclinic WO3 and non-stoichiometric MoSx. Due to this composition the composite can be used as a photoanode for photooxidation/water splitting, but also as an electrocatalyst for cathodic HER.
-Superlattice structures of (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series composed of bismuth telluride quintuples and bismuth biatomic layers with variable and controlled ratio of the both components was developed. The inclusion of biatomic layers of bismuth between Bi2Te3 quintuples results from their characteristic redox properties, which were also characterized in depth, resulting in the development of the combined procedures of superlattices electrodeposition and further electrochemical modification for the knowledge based design of new materials, in particular materials for thermoelectric applications. Peculiar properties of metal adlayers which were essential for the pulsed electrodeposition of superlattices were also investigated in depth on various materials, including semiconductor quantum dots. This resulted in the discovery of Cd2+ upd potential dependence on CdSe duantum dot (QD) size, which provides a new electrochemical means to measure QD sizes.
- The developed porous Fe/Cu catalysts can effectively decolorize methyl orange at high concentrations within a short time, making it a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solution for treating azo dyes in water. The optimization of conditions such as hydrogen peroxide concentration, temperature, and catalyst loading can further improve the performance of the Fenton reaction for the removal of methyl orange from water.
- In the project, macroporous Fe-Ga films were prepared through electrodeposition on silicon substrates templated by sub-micrometer polystyrene spheres. The composition of the films was adjusted (2-40 at.% Ga) by varying the electrodeposition conditions. The mechanical and magnetic properties of the films were evaluated for optimal performance. The magnetostriction was examined through X-ray diffraction under in-situ magnetic field conditions. The results showed that the magnetic-field-induced crystal deformation in templated, macroporous films was larger compared to non-templated and fully dense films. These effects in porous Fe-Ga films offer potential for the development of strain-engineered nanomaterials such as energy transducers or magnetoelectric composites.
The project achievements for reporting period noticeably contributed to the scientific progress in the field:
- 18 publications, (https://www.smartelectrodes.eu/disseminationcommunication/publications/(opens in new window)).
- 13 international conferences/events, (https://www.smartelectrodes.eu/disseminationcommunication/conferences/(opens in new window))
In order to achieve results with high impact, the collaboration between companies was maintained in this project. Thus, JSC EPT had fruitful collaboration with VU and IAP partners, which lead to the elaboration of protocol for screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGEs)’ application. This protocol was used for express-analysis of precious metals after leaching and sedimentation. Also, the research preformed in course of project contributed to elaboration of new eco-friendly solutions for electrowinning and their integration into technological chain. JSC TOPAZ was actively involved into realization of the project and results obtained during secondments at VU permitted to adapt new regimes for several equipment. Moreover, the project and namely IAP partner, were involved in collaboration with TOPAZ for up-scaling of elaborated procedures, but also with the Grodno State University and the company JSC Belkard (Belarus) in order to test the elaborated coatings under “real” conditions. The testing was quite successful and the company confirmed this fact.
The societal impact: The project contributed to broadening of the fields of expertise of the ESRs due to the multidisciplinary character of it, but also of ER participants, so that they get skilled not only on specific areas, but acquired a full understanding of the overall process, from modelling of the basic materials properties to the end applications of new materials/processes. Also, the project offered means for participants to enhance their career opportunities, and provided with necessary high-level skills.
In our project, five PhD students were involved. All of them defended PhD diploma and essential part of their research was produced within SMARTELECTRODES project. Through secondments and networking activities the R&I knowledge-transfer flow was generated, which provided essential help to enrich and to develop new collaborations and extend existing.
The societal impact: The project contributed to broadening of the fields of expertise of the ESRs due to the multidisciplinary character of it, but also of ER participants, so that they get skilled not only on specific areas, but acquired a full understanding of the overall process, from modelling of the basic materials properties to the end applications of new materials/processes. Also, the project offered means for participants to enhance their career opportunities, and provided with necessary high-level skills.
In our project, five PhD students were involved. All of them defended PhD diploma and essential part of their research was produced within SMARTELECTRODES project. Through secondments and networking activities the R&I knowledge-transfer flow was generated, which provided essential help to enrich and to develop new collaborations and extend existing.