11. Iron phosphides as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution and energy conversion : abstractSaim Emin, Takwa Chouki, 2021, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Transition metal phosphides have been demonstrated as outstanding multifunctional catalysts in a broad range of energy conversion technologies. We developed a solvothermal synthesis approach for iron phosphide electrocatalystsusing a low-cost phosphorus precursor.The synthetic protocol allows for the preparation of a Fe2P phase at 300°C and FeP phase at 350°C. The obtained compounds were coated on conductive substrates to prepare catalysts thin films. Here, we exploited different phases of iron phosphide as counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with an I−/I3− based electrolyte [2]. The solar-to-current conversion efficiency of the solar cells assembled with the Fe2P material reached 3.96±0.06%,which is comparable to the device assembled with a platinum (Pt) CE. In addition to DSSC
applications, the iron phosphides were used as electrocatalyst for H2 evolution (Fig. 1). To enhance the catalytic activities of obtained iron phosphide particles, heat-treatments were carried out at elevated temperatures.Annealing at 500°C induced structural changes in the samples: (i) Fe2P provided a pure Fe3P phase (Fe3P−500°C) and (ii) FeP transformed into a mixture of iron phosphide phases (Fe2P/FeP−500°C). The electrocatalytic activities for H2 evolution of heat-treated catalysts were studied in 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The HER activities of the iron phosphide catalyst were found to be phase dependent. The lowest recorded overpotential of 110 mV at 10 mA cm−2 vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode was achieved with Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalyst. The developed procedure is an elegant approach to tune the composition of iron phosphide catalyst and control the morphology of particles. Keywords: Iron phosphides
electrocatalyst
hydrogen evolution
energy conversion Published in RUNG: 06.02.2023; Views: 2004; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
12. Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Transition Metal Based Compounds : abstractSaim Emin, Takwa Chouki, Manel Machreki, 2021, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Electrocatalytic water splitting is one of the cleanest and sustainable way to generate hydrogen. Transition metal based electrocatalysts like iron phosphides (Fe2P, FeP), molybdenum diselenides (MoSe2), and tungsten carbides (W2C, WC) have unique advantages including competitive cost compared to platinum, controllable active sites, and electronic structures that could significantly enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we present a combination of approaches for preparing catalyst materials. As an elegant technique, colloidal synthesis was used to synthesize Mo and W nanoparticles. Combined with selenization and carbidation approaches at elevated temperature, it allowed to synthesize MoSe2, W2C, and WC thin films. The syntheses of Fe2P and FeP catalyst were achieved in one-stage using triphenylphosphine precursor. The obtained catalysts were applied in electrocatalytic HER studies. Keywords: iron phosphides
molybdenum diselenide
tungtsen carbides
electrocatalysis
hydrogen evolution Published in RUNG: 06.02.2023; Views: 1975; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
13. Growth of MoSe2 thin films and use in electrochemical hydrogen evolution : abstractTakwa Chouki, Borjana Donkova, Burhan can Aktarla, Plamen Stefanov, Saim Emin, 2020, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: We present the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach to grow MoSe2 thin films using colloidal molybdenum nanoparticles (Mo NPs). The synthetic protocol of Mo NPs was achieved using a wet-chemical method. The obtained Mo NPs were spin-coated on graphite substrates and heat-treated in the presence of selenium vapors at several temperatures (≥750 °C). The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated MoSe2 thin
films were studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The lowest recorded
overpotential of 218 mV at 10 mA cm−2 vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode was achieved with MoSe2−800°C catalyst. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to access the charge-transfer resistance of the MoSe2 films. The colloidal approach combined with CVD is a promising route to produce carbon supported MoSe2 electrocatalyst for HER. Keywords: MoSe2 thin films
CVD
HER Published in RUNG: 06.02.2023; Views: 2226; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
14. Efficient Iron Phosphide Catalyst as a Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells : articleAbdullah Yildiz, Takwa Chouki, Aycan Atli, Moussab Harb, Sammy W Verbruggen, Rajeshreddy Ninakanti, Saim Emin, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Developing an efficient material as a counter electrode (CE) with excellent catalytic activity, intrinsic stability, and low cost is essential for the commercial application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Transition metal phosphides have been demonstrated as outstanding multifunctional catalysts in a broad range of energy conversion technologies. Here, we exploited different phases of iron phosphide as CEs in DSSCs with an I–/I3–-based electrolyte. Solvothermal synthesis using a triphenylphosphine precursor as a phosphorus source allows to grow a Fe2P phase at 300 °C and a FeP phase at 350 °C. The obtained iron phosphide catalysts were coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates and heat-treated at 450 °C under an inert gas atmosphere. The solar-to-current conversion efficiency of the solar cells assembled with the Fe2P material reached 3.96 ± 0.06%, which is comparable to the device assembled with a platinum (Pt) CE. DFT calculations support the experimental observations and explain the fundamental origin behind the improved performance of Fe2P compared to FeP. These results indicate that the Fe2P catalyst exhibits excellent performance along with desired stability to be deployed as an efficient Pt-free alternative in DSSCs. Keywords: Iron phosphide, catalyst, counter electrode, dye-sensitized solar cell, solvothermal synthesis Published in RUNG: 06.02.2023; Views: 1983; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
15. Highly active iron phosphide catalysts for selective electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammoniaTakwa Chouki, Manel Machreki, Iwona A. Rutkowska, Beata Rytelewska, Pawel Jozef Kulesza, Georgi Tyuliev, Moussab Harb, Luis Miguel Azofra, Saim Emin, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The electrochemical reduction reaction of the nitrate ion (NO3−), a widespread water pollutant, to valuable ammonia (NH3) is a promising approach for environmental remediation and green energy conservation. The development of high-performance electrocatalysts to selectively reduce NO3− wastes into value-added NH3 will open up a different route of NO3− treatment, and impose both environmental and economic impacts on sustainable NH3 synthesis. Transition metal phosphides represent one of the most promising earth-abundant catalysts with impressive electrocatalytic activities. Herein, we report for the first time the electrocatalytic reduction of NO3− using different phases of iron phosphide. Particularly, FeP and Fe2P phases were successfully demonstrated as efficient catalysts for NH3 generation. Detection of the in-situ formed product was achieved using electrooxidation of NH3 to nitrogen (N2) on a Pt electrode. The Fe2P catalyst exhibits the highest Faradaic efficiency (96 %) for NH3 generation with a yield (0.25 mmol h−1 cm-−2 or 2.10 mg h−1 cm−2) at − 0.55 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The recycling tests confirmed that Fe2P and FeP catalysts exhibit excellent stability during the NO3− reduction at − 0.37 V vs. RHE. To get relevant information about the reaction mechanisms and the fundamental origins behind the better performance of Fe2P, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed. These results indicate that the Fe2P phase exhibits excellent performance to be deployed as an efficient noble metal-free catalyst for NH3 generation. Keywords: iron phosphide, electrocatalysts, nitrates reduction ammonia, DFT calculations Published in RUNG: 02.02.2023; Views: 2423; Downloads: 9 Full text (7,95 MB) This document has many files! More... |
16. Synthesis and application of transition metal phosphide nanomaterials as electrocatalysts for water splitting and chemical transformations : dissertationTakwa Chouki, 2022, doctoral dissertation Abstract: In this thesis, we will focus on the solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphides (FeP, Fe2P) using triphenylphosphine (TPP) as an inexpensive and stable phosphorus source. The obtained iron phosphides were applied as electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation, Escherichia coli (E. coli) inactivation,
nitrates reduction reaction (NO3RR) to ammonia (NH3), and as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Detailed characterizations of catalysts were carried out to investigate the correlations between the material structure and catalytic activity.
The first part of the thesis gives an introduction to the topic which cover overview of literature about the use of transition metal phosphide as efficient electrocatalysts in water splitting studies, NO3RR to NH3 and DSSCs.
The second part is a description of the experimental methods.
The third part discusses the solvothermal synthesis of FeP and Fe2P catalysts using TPP precursor. The phase conversion of iron phosphides at elevated temperatures under reductive atmosphere was reported. Structural characterizations of the obtained materials were achieved using multiple techniques. The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated iron phosphide films for HER were studied in acidic environment.
The fourth part discusses the use of Fe2P nanoparticles (NPs) for OER.
The fifth part outlines the use of Fe2P precatalyst in water treatment studies. Using a thin film of Fe2P precatalyst, RhB degradation and E. coli inactivation in the presence of in-situ generated reactive chlorine species were reported. Characterization of Fe2P electrocatalysts before and after the test was carried out using different techniques.
The sixth part shows for the first time the use of FeP and Fe2P as a noble metal-free electrocatalysts for NO3RR to NH3. In this chapter we will emphasize the nitrate reaction pathways, which are highly complex and poorly understood.
The seventh part demonstrates the use of FeP and Fe2P catalysts as robust and efficient counter electrodes in DSSCs. Keywords: solvothermal synthesis, iron phosphides, electrocatalysis, HER, OER, RhB degradation, E. coli inactivation, NO3RR to NH3, DSSCs, dissertations Published in RUNG: 29.08.2022; Views: 3266; Downloads: 113 Full text (6,35 MB) This document has many files! More... |
17. Iron phosphide precatalyst for electrocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye and removal of Escherichia coli from simulated wastewaterTakwa Chouki, Manel Machreki, Jelena Topić, Lorena Butinar, Plamen Stefanov, Erika Jež, Jack S. Summers, Matjaž Valant, Aaron Fait, Saim Emin, 2022, original scientific article Keywords: železov fosfat, elektrokataliza, rodamin Published in RUNG: 02.08.2022; Views: 2397; Downloads: 97 Link to full text This document has many files! More... |
18. Photoelectrocatalytic water splitting and dye degradation with fluorine doped tin oxides filmsManel Machreki, Takwa Chouki, Saim Emin, 2019, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: We report the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting with flourine doped tin oxide (FTO) films. This is the first study where efficient water splitting is achieved with FTO films under light illumination. Potentiostatic test at 1.7 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) show that FTO material is very stable for water oxidation without occurence of a noticable current drop over a span of 6 hours. Mass spectrometry analysis of evolved gasses confermed the formation of oxygen and hydrogen in the two half cells (separated by a membrane). Moreover, it was demonstrated that the water splitting reaction involve formation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) which are known oxidants for organics. We applied these FTO films for degradation of a model pollutant rhodamine B dye (1×10−5 mol/l). PEC assisted degradation of rhodamine B took about 30 min to achieve complete degradation of 60 ml model dye solution. Keywords: FTO, thin films, dye degradation Published in RUNG: 13.05.2021; Views: 3092; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
19. Solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphides and their application for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolutionTakwa Chouki, Manel Machreki, Saim Emin, 2020, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: We report the solvothermal synthesis of iron phosphide electrocatalysts using a low-cost phosphorus precursor [1]. The synthetic protocol allows for the preparation of a Fe2P phase at 300°C and FeP phase at 350°C. To enhance the catalytic activities of obtained iron phosphide particles, heat-treatments were carried out at elevated temperatures. Annealing at 500°C induced structural changes in the samples: (i) Fe2P provided a pure Fe3P phase (Fe3P−500°C) and (ii) FeP transformed into a mixture of iron phosphide phases (Fe2P/FeP−500°C). The electrocatalytic activities of heat-treated Fe2P−450°C, Fe3P−500°C, and Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalysts were studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The HER activities of the iron phosphide catalyst were found to be phase dependent. The lowest recorded overpotential of 110 mV at 10 mA cm−2 vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode was achieved with Fe2P/FeP−500°C catalyst. The present approach allows the preparation of immobilized iron phsphide catalyst onto carbon support which is essential for application purpose. The procedure developed by us is an elegant approach to tune the composition of iron phosphide catalyst and control the morphology of particles. Keywords: solvothermal synthesis, iron phosphide, electrocatalyst, hydrogen evolution, overpotential Published in RUNG: 13.05.2021; Views: 3564; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
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