Giorgio Ercolano

ALD SnO2 protective decoration enhances the durability of a Pt based electrocatalyst

Electrospinning and atomic layer deposition (ALD) have been coupled to prepare functional hetero-structures with potential application in fuel cells. Electrocatalysts comprising platinum (Pt) nanoparticles dispersed onto electrospun carbon fibers were selectively decorated with tin dioxide (SnO2) using ALD. The presence of SnO2 led to a considerable enhancement of the catalyst durability during voltage cycling.

Towards ultrathin Pt films on nanofibres by surface-limited electrodeposition for electrocatalytic applications

Novel fuel cell nanofibrous electrodes (NFEs) with a higher degree of platinum exploitation and higher durability compared to commercial standards are produced, based on self-standing electrospun carbon nanofibre webs covered by platinum ultrathin nanoislands deposited by high overpotential pulsed electrodeposition.

Nickel Based Electrospun Materials with Tuned Morphology and Composition

Nickel is set to play a crucial role to substitute the less-abundant platinum in clean electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices and catalysis. The controlled design of Ni nanomaterials is essential to fine-tune their properties to match these applications. A systematic study of electrospinning and thermal post-treatment parameters has been performed to synthesize Ni materials and tune their morphology (fibers, ribbons, and sponge-like structures) and composition (metallic Ni, NiO, Ni/C, Ni3N and their combinations). The obtained Ni-based spun materials have been characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The possibility of upscaling and the versatility of electrospinning open the way to large-scale production of Ni nanostructures, as well as bi- and multi-metal systems for widened applications.

Surface-Limited Electrodeposition of Continuous Platinum Networks on Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite

Continuous thin platinum nanoplatelet networks and thin films were obtained on the flat surface of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) by high overpotential electrodeposition. By increasing the deposition time, the morphology of the Pt deposits can be progressively tuned from isolated nanoplatelets, interconnected nanostructures, and thin large flat islands. The deposition is surface-limited and the thickness of the deposits, equivalent to 5 to 12 Pt monolayers, is not time dependent. The presence of Pt (111) facets is confirmed by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and evidence for the early formation of a platinum monolayer is provided by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-rays Spectroscopy (STEM-EDX) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The electroactivity towards the oxygen reduction reaction of the 2D deposits is also assessed, demonstrating their great potential in energy conversion devices where ultra-low loading of Pt via extended surfaces is a reliable strategy.