In this section, you can access to the latest technical information related to the FUTURE project topic.

Promoting Electrocatalysis upon Aerogels

Aerogels derived from catalytically active nanomaterials open tremendous opportunities for electrocatalysis. The integration of nanoscale properties and aerogel features offers the desirable combination of high exposure of reactive sites, conducting and self?support skeletons, and straightforward mass transfer pathways. Recent advances of aerogel?based electrocatalysts are summarized in terms of nanocarbons, composites, and pure metals.Electrocatalysis plays a prominent role in renewable energy conversion and storage, enabling a number of sustainable processes for future technologies. There are generally three strategies to improve the efficiency (or activity) of the electrocatalysts: i) increasing the intrinsic activity of the catalyst itself, ii) improving the exposure of active sites, and iii) accelerating mass transfer during catalysis (both reactants and products). These strategies are not mutually exclusive and can ideally be addressed simultaneously, leading to the largest improvements in activity. Aerogels, as featured by large surface area, high porosity, and self?supportability, provide a platform that matches all the aforementioned criteria for the design of efficient electrocatalysts. The field of aerogel synthesis has seen much progress in recent years, mainly thanks to the rapid development of nanotechnology. Employing precursors with different properties enables the resulting aerogel with targeted catalytic properties and improved performances. Here, the design strategies of aerogel catalysts are demonstrated, and their performance for several electrochemical reactions is reviewed. The common principles that govern electrocatalysis are further discussed for each category of reactions, thus serving as a guide to the development of future aerogel electrocatalysts.

» Author: Bin Cai, Alexander Eychmüller

» Reference: doi:10.1002/adma.201804881

» Publication Date: 09/12/2018

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