Nanjing Tech University

About: Nanjing Tech University is a education organization based out in Nanjing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Membrane. The organization has 21827 authors who have published 21794 publications receiving 364050 citations. The organization is also known as: Nangongda & Nánjīng Gōngyè Dàxúe.

Composites of metal oxides and intrinsically conducting polymers as supercapacitor electrode materials: the best of both worlds?

Abstract: Composite materials combining intrinsically conducting polymers and metal oxides suggested as electrode materials in supercapacitors are reviewed with attention to achieved stability and specific functions and effects both components contribution to the performance of the materials. With this combination, various drawbacks of metal oxide materials frequently suggested as active masses shall be remedied. The low electronic conductivity of metal oxides traditionally ameliorated by adding conducting carbon can be enhanced by intrinsically conducting polymers, but careful consideration of changes of the polymer's conductance as a function of electrode potential is required. An inherently elastic polymer can buffer the volume changes of metal oxides. Loss of active mass, in particular of metal ions, can be prevented by encapsulating the metal oxide in the polymer. Finally, the charge storage capability of the polymer itself can be utilized for enhanced storage in the composite material. Reported materials and preparation procedures are briefly presented; achieved progress as well as remaining challenges are highlighted. Suggestions for further research and development are proposed.

Boosting oxygen reduction reaction activity of palladium by stabilizing its unusual oxidation states in perovskite

Abstract: The high cost, scarcity, and poor stability of metallic platinum (Pt) as an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst in fuel cells and metal-air batteries have limited the commercialization of these attractive clean-energy technologies. Thus, developing alternative electrocatalysts that are economical and achieve maximized efficiency of stably catalyzing ORR is of prime importance in the societal pursuit of sustainable energy. Metallic palladium (Pd) is an alternative electrocatalyst that is less expensive than Pt; however, its current performance remains insufficient. Here we report for the first time that the ORR activity of the different oxidation states of Pd increased in the following order: Pd0 < Pd2+ < perovskite-type ionic (Pi) Pd3/4+. Especially, the intrinsic activity on Pd active site of (Pi) Pd3/4+ is ∼84-fold higher than that of Pd0. By doping the Pd element as a cation into the perovskite oxide lattice to form LaFe0.95Pd0.05O3-δ and LaFe0.9Pd0.1O3-δ, unusual oxidation states of 3/4+ for Pd a...