Wenguang Fan

Facile preparation of PdNi/rGO and its electrocatalytic performance towards formic acid oxidation

A highly dispersed and active PdNi alloy supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was successfully prepared for formic acid electro-oxidation under acidic conditions. The material was prepared by a simultaneous reduction method using NaBH4 as the reductant, followed by annealing in H2 at 500 °C. Different characterization methods verified that H2 annealing at an appropriate temperature had a significant influence on both physiochemical composition and electrocatalytic performance of the synthesized catalysts. H2 annealing at 500 °C facilitated formation of a PdNi alloy without agglomeration of the nano-sized metallic catalyst, while without H2 treatment Ni was found predominantly in the form of Ni(OH)2. Cyclic voltammetry and chromoamperometric testing demonstrated that, when compared to the sample without H2 treatment, PdNi/rGO after H2 annealing exhibited better catalytic activity and stability towards formic acid electro-oxidation. The enhanced performance can be explained by the modification of the electronic structure of Pd by Ni after alloy formation and the large specific surface area and excellent electron conductivity of the rGO support.

Recent Development of Plasmonic Resonance-Based Photocatalysis and Photovoltaics for Solar Utilization

Increasing utilization of solar energy is an effective strategy to tackle our energy and energy-related environmental issues. Both solar photocatalysis (PC) and solar photovoltaics (PV) have high potential to develop technologies of many practical applications. Substantial research efforts are devoted to enhancing visible light activation of the photoelectrocatalytic reactions by various modifications of nanostructured semiconductors. This review paper emphasizes the recent advancement in material modifications by means of the promising localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) mechanisms. The principles of LSPR and its effects on the photonic efficiency of PV and PC are discussed here. Many research findings reveal the promise of Au and Ag plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs). Continual investigation for increasing the stability of the plasmonic NPs will be fruitful.