Graphene oxide (GO) contains randomly distributed nonconductive sp3-C domains with planar acidity, making it simultaneously an electrical insulator and a proton conductor. GO’s ability for in-plane and through-plane cationic transport together with its impermeability to molecular fuels projected them as inexpensive and sustainable membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Nevertheless, the room-temperature proton transport in bulk GO is at least an order lower than that of the state of the art Nafion membrane, challenging the construction of a practical energy conversion device with the former. We show that the proton flux in GO along the H-bonded network projected outward of the carbon planes can be significantly amplified by thinning the 2D carbon layer stacking of carbon nanosheets in GO. The noticeably higher room-temperature fuel cell performance metrics of a thin-layer GO proton conductor compared to the commercial Nafion membrane with ∼410 mW/cm2 of peak power at ∼1300 mA/cm2 of peak current demonstrates distinct progress in the sustainable energy landscape.

Interconversion of acid-base neutralization energy as electrical driving force can spontaneously desalinate saline water during electric power production without a net redox reaction. This entropically favorable chemistry performs desalination by reversible redox reactions involving only gases, water, H + , and OH À such that the products and reactants of the reaction will not contaminate the desalinated water.

Precious metal free hybrid vitamin C fuel cell redox flow battery.

We illustrate an all solid-state ZnÀair battery by utilizing the ability of a titanium-nitride-functionalized molecular catalyst to mediate the oxygen reduction reaction by avoiding the parasitic corrosion chemistry and the hydroxide-holding capacity of the Zirfon membrane. The efficient ionic communication between the half-cell electrodes provided by the Zirfon membrane in combination with the chemical/electrochemical stability of the TiN-based air electrode ultimately led to an all solid-state and air-breathing battery possessing high durability and stability.Electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices such as batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors have the potential to address global warming and alarming pollution due to their near zero emission power output. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] MetalÀair batteries are new generation batteries which are anticipated to contribute to long driving range per charge compared to conventional metal ion batteries. [8][9][10][11][12] The air electrode architecture is expected to increase gravimetric energy storage capability of the device since oxygen in principle can be accessed from atmosphere circumventing the storage of oxidant on board the device. [13][14][15] Though non aqueous Li air batteries are being pursued intensely across the world, aqueous ZnÀair batteries are much evolved and even used in commercial hearing aid devices. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] However, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the cathodic halfcell reaction in air batteries often require precious metal based electrocatalyst to catalyze the 4 electron scission of molecular oxygen. [25][26][27][28][29] Usually Pt is supported on carbon which is known to undergo extensive corrosion in presence of oxygen and especially peroxide, the 2 electron product of ORR. [30][31][32] Pt is also known to catalyze carbon corrosion resulting in sintering and agglomeration of Pt nanoparticles and ultimately to the loss of precious metals. [33,34] We demonstrate that by replacing carbon with conducting titanium nitride (TiN), an extremely corrosion resistant as well as chemically stable material used in aberration industry, [35][36][37] carbon corrosion and its negative consequences can be addressed at the air electrode of metalair batteries. Further, we show a strategy for tuning the catalytic activity of this promising corrosion resistant catalytic support by simple diazotization reaction. [38] We have exploited the base reservoir capability of Zirfon PERL UTP 500 membrane for ionic communication between the half-cells. [39,40] To develop an all solid-state metalÀair battery. The results demonstrate that TiN based catalytic system outperforms carbon based catalysts in terms of long-term stability and durability ultimately leading to an all solid-state ZnÀair battery possessing a corrosion resistant air electrode.TiN particles were flake like with irregular morphology, scanning electron microscopic image, Figure 1a. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Figure 1b, clearly indicates the constituent elements are m...

The role of electrocatalysts in energy storage/conversion, biomedical and environmental sectors, green chemistry, and much more has generated enormous interest in comprehending their structure–activity relations. While targeting the surface-to-volume ratio, exposing reactive crystal planes and interfacial modifications are time-tested considerations for activating metallic catalysts; it is primarily by substitution in molecular electrocatalysts. This account draws the distinction between a substituent’s chemical identity and isomerism, when regioisomerism of the −NO2 substituent is conferred at the “α” and “β” positions on the macrocycle of cobalt phthalocyanines. Spectroscopic analysis and theoretical calculations establish that the β isomer accumulates catalytically active intermediates via a cumulative influence of inductive and resonance effects. However, the field effect in the α isomer restricts this activation due to a vanishing resonance effect. The demonstration of the distinct role of isomerism in substituted molecular electrocatalysts for reactions ranging from energy conversion to biosensing highlights that isomerism of the substituents makes an independent contribution to electrocatalysis over its chemical identity.