Synthesis and characterization of Ti0.9Ir0.1O2-activated carbon composite as a promising support for catalysts in electrochemical energy conversion

• Published in: Advances in natural sciences. Nanoscience and nanotechnology 2023-09, Vol.14 (3), p.035003
• Main Authors: Pham, Hien T Q, Pham, Hau Quoc, Huynh, Quyen, Nguyen, Thao Ngoc, Huynh, Ngoc-Han T, Nguyen, Thanh-Quang, Huynh, Tai Thien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Carbon content; Catalysts; Catalytic converters; Chemical reactions; Composite materials; composites; Composition effects; Corrosion resistance; Durability; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemical corrosion; Electrochemistry; Energy conversion; nanomaterials; Physical properties; Renewable energy; Surface area; Sustainability; Titanium dioxide; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2043-6254; 2043-6262
• DOI: 10.1088/2043-6262/ace432

Constructing robust support plays a key role in governing the overall catalytic efficiency of metal-based catalysts for electrochemical reactions in sustainable energy-related conversion systems. We herein use a solvothermal method to assemble Ti0.9Ir0.1O2-Activated C composites, exhibiting high surface area and electrical conductivity compared to the pure TiO2 material. The material characterisations and electrochemical behaviours of the as-obtained composites are systemically studied by XRD, FE-SEM-EDX mapping, FT-IR, XPS, BET, four-point technique, cyclic voltammetry, etc Notably, the effect of composition on the physical and electrochemical properties of the as-made composites is also explored, which indicated the significant improvement in surface area and electrical conductivity with increasing carbon content, while a reverse trend is observed in the electrochemical durability. Among all studied composites, the Ti0.9Ir0.1O2-Activated C (50:50 wt%) composite can be a suitable support for metal-based catalysts due to its balance in physical properties (electrical conductivity of 1.5 S cm−1 and surface area of 152.12 m2 g−1) and electrochemical corrosion resistance (high durability after 2000-cycling ADT). This study can open up an efficient strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of electrochemical processes.