Summary: The evolution of the morphologies in blends of epoxy/4,4′‐methylenebis(2,6‐dimethylaniline)/polyethersulfone was followed by time‐resolved light scattering, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that, once the diffusion of epoxy molecules cannot follow the geometrical growth, a secondary phase separation occurs, even in the droplet morphology, in which the size of the epoxy‐rich domain grows as usual. The viscoelastic effect of polyethersulfone is also discussed.Development of morphologies followed by OM: bicontinuous phase separation in the PES‐15.9 blend cured at 140 °C after 80 s.magnified imageDevelopment of morphologies followed by OM: bicontinuous phase separation in the PES‐15.9 blend cured at 140 °C after 80 s.
(Photo-)electrochemical
carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction
has gained significant importance as it has the potential to yield
valuable organic products by utilizing renewable energy. Here, CuZn
alloy catalysts fabricated by the electrodeposition method were evaluated
as efficient catalysts for selective CO2 reduction to HCOOH.
By varying the concentration of zinc (Zn) in CuZn bimetallic catalysts,
the Faradaic efficiency and partial current density of HCOOH on CuZn-0.5
were enhanced nearly 4 and 5 times, respectively, as compared to Cu
foil. Furthermore, we developed a photoelectrochemical cell system
for CO2 reduction by using the CuZn-0.5 catalyst as the
cathode and BiVO4 as the photoanode. HCOOH formation was
maximized with approximately 60% Faradaic efficiency under simulated
sunlight, which is among the highest for copper-based cathodes. The
higher selectivity of CuZn originates from the synergistic effect
of Cu and Zn. The reaction process is further studied by in situ Raman
and density functional theory calculations. This work can provide
a detailed understanding of developing a catalyst with highly selective
HCOOH formation.
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