Guided Evolution of Bulk Metallic Glass Nanostructures: A Platform for Designing 3D Electrocatalytic Surfaces

Abstract

Electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, lithium-air batteries, and pseudocapacitors are expected to play a major role in energy conversion/storage in the near future. Here, it is demonstrated how desirable bulk metallic glass compositions can be obtained using a combinatorial approach and it is shown that these alloys can serve as a platform technology for a wide variety of electrochemical applications through several surface modification techniques.

Recent Advances in Metallic Glass Nanostructures: Synthesis Strategies and Electrocatalytic Applications

“…Doubek et al [12] and Mukherjee et al [39] have demonstrated two examples in making hierarchical 3D nanostructures (3D-Ns). These double-hierarchical nanostructures were reported to increase the available electrochemical surface area by one order of magnitude compared to molded nanowires, and able to maintain a high stability for its surface.…”

“…[12,37,[39][40][41] The surface chemistry activity of an electrocatalyst is also linked to the structural stability and corrosion of the surface. [12,37,[39][40][41] The surface chemistry activity of an electrocatalyst is also linked to the structural stability and corrosion of the surface.…”

“…[12,37,[39][40][41] The surface chemistry activity of an electrocatalyst is also linked to the structural stability and corrosion of the surface. [12,40] Despite the facile nanomolding potential of 3D-N metallic glasses for electrode assembly, not all elements can be formed in the amorphous state, and even for those that can be formed, not all of the elements can be nanomolded because of the limiting glass forming ability. Güemeci et al [41] reported a 20% loss over the activity for oxygen reduction in Pt/C after 1000 cycles while their sonochemically prepared PtCu 3 had no change in activity.…”

“…[4,5] Remarkably, this trend has found traction in the metallic glass field where metallic glasses nanostructures (MGNs) demonstrate an important role in many applications such as light harvesting, [6] photovoltaic, [7] biomedical, [8] magneto-optical, [9] organic synthesis, [10] lithium-ion batteries [11] and electrocatalysis. [12] Recently, MGNs are receiving increased attention due to their distinguished performance, such as high activity and long term stability in electrocatalytic reactions. [12,13] Although several review papers have already covered the topic of nanopatterning of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), [14][15][16] the correlation between recent synthetic methods and electrocatalytic applications for MGNs has not been thoroughly addressed.…”

“…[12] Recently, MGNs are receiving increased attention due to their distinguished performance, such as high activity and long term stability in electrocatalytic reactions. [12,13] Although several review papers have already covered the topic of nanopatterning of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), [14][15][16] the correlation between recent synthetic methods and electrocatalytic applications for MGNs has not been thoroughly addressed. Moreover, there is currently no review that unites MGNs synthesized from different approaches (top-down and bottom-up) with conventional electrochemical reactions.…”