Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic properties of delafossite CuGaO{sub 2}

Journal Article · Sat Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2016.07.006· OSTI ID:22658031

Ahmed, Jahangeer ^[1]; Mao, Yuanbing ^[1]

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1. Department of Chemistry, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539 (United States)

Delafossite CuGaO{sub 2} has been employed as photocatalysts for solar cells, but their electrocatalytic properties have not been extensively studied, especially no comparison among samples made by different synthesis routes. Herein, we first reported the successful synthesis of delafossite CuGaO{sub 2} particles with three different morphologies, i.e. nanocrystalline hexagons, sub-micron sized plates and micron–sized particles by a modified hydrothermal method at 190 °C for 60 h [1–3], a sono-chemical method followed by firing at 850 °C for 48 h, and a solid state route at 1150 °C, respectively. Morphology, composition and phase purity of the synthesized samples was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic studies, and then their electrocatalytic performance as active and cost effective electrode materials to the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in 0.5 M KOH electrolyte versus Ag/AgCl was investigated and compared under the same conditions for the first time. The nanocrystalline CuGaO{sub 2} hexagons show enhanced electrocatalytic activity than the counterpart sub-micron sized plates and micron-sized particles. - Graphical abstract: Representative delafossite CuGaO2 samples with sub-micron sized plate and nanocrystalline hexagon morphologies accompanying with chronoamperometric voltammograms for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in 0.5 M KOH electrolyte after purged with N{sub 2} gas. - Highlights: • Delafossite CuGaO{sub 2} with three morphologies has been synthesized. • Phase purity of the synthesized samples was confirmed. • Comparison on their electrocatalytic properties was made for the first time. • Their use as electrodes for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions was evaluated. • Nanocrystalline CuGaO{sub 2} hexagons show highest electrocatalytic activity.

• OSTI ID: 22658031
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 242, Issue Part 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
COPPER COMPOUNDS
CRYSTALS
ELECTROCATALYSTS
ELECTRODES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GALLIUM OXIDES
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
MORPHOLOGY
NANOSTRUCTURES
OXYGEN
PARTICLES
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
SILVER CHLORIDES
SOLAR CELLS
X RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION