Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Palladium and Nickel Hydroxide Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Generation
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Authors
Fujita, Sho
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Nanomaterial synthesis , Shape-controlled palladium nanoparticles , Nickel hydroxide nanosheets , Nickel-metal hydride battery , Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells
Alternative Title
Abstract
Nanostructured materials are of great importance to the advancement of energy storage and generation systems. Particularly, palladium (Pd) and nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) nanomaterials have attracted great attention due to their remarkable stability and electrocatalytic activity. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive investigation elucidating (i) the interfacial electrochemistry unique to their nanostructures and (ii) the key factors that determine their electrocatalytic activity and stability. Filling this knowledge gap is crucial to develop ideal material/electrocatalyst designs using Pd and Ni(OH)2 nanomaterials to further improve the performance of energy storage and generation systems. Therefore, in this research, synthesis, characterization, and comprehensive analyses on various Pd and Ni(OH)2 nanomaterials were conducted to address these challenges. In the first part of this research, the electrochemical property and stability of shape-controlled Pd NPs were investigated in aqueous alkaline solution. It was envisaged that this nanomaterial would find application as an anode material in miniaturized nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. The results indicated that repetitive H absorption and desorption induced structural changes to the Pd NPs, which were attributed to the absorbed H being trapped in the subsurface site of the Pd NPs. The cathode in the miniaturized Ni-MH batteries also requires a nanomaterial due to the limited volume of the batteries. Thus, the second part of this research focused on the analyses of electrochemical and chargedischarge behaviour of carbon-supported β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. The results indicated that the β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets gradually became aggregated upon repetitive charge-discharge cycling in aqueous alkaline solution, leading to the decrease in the specific capacity of the nanomaterial due to the modification of the electrochemical and material properties after the charge-discharge cycling. In the third part of this research, the synthetic approach of the β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets was modified to the preparation of Pd NPs supported by β-Ni(OH)2/C composite material for the envisaged use in alkaline-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). This electrocatalyst possessed enhanced activity towards hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in aqueous alkaline solution and remarkable stability upon accelerated durability test (ADT). The novel results in this study provide a new insight into the design of unique anode electrocatalysts for the advancement of AEMFCs.
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International