Thermoelectric Driven Self-Powered Water Electrolyzer Using Nanostructured CuFeS₂ Plates as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst

Abstract

The advancement of nonprecious electrocatalysts for the overall water splitting reaction have attained great significance in producing clean hydrogen fuel (H2). Herein, we are reporting the use of a copper iron sulfide (CuFeS2) nanostructure (prepared via the hydrothermal method) as a cost-effective and high-performance bifunctional catalyst for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). The physicochemical characterizations such as X-ray diffraction, laser Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic, and electron microscopic studies indicated the formation of platelike CuFeS2 nanostructures. Linear sweep voltammetric analysis of the CuFeS2 electrocatalyst demonstrated its superior electrocatalytic activities for effectively driving hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions with a lower overpotentials (η10) of 136 and 320 mV in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte. Additionally, multipotential and durability studies of CuFeS2 electrocatalyst displayed better electrochemical properties for HER and OER reactions. Finally, a lab-scale CuFeS2 water electrolyzer was fabricated that demonstrated better performance metrics with a very low voltage of 1.66 V for water splitting reactions. As proof of the concept, a self-powered water electrolyzer system comprising a thermoelectric device (to convert waste thermal energy into electricity) that can drive the CuFeS2 water electrolyzer efficiently was demonstrated, highlighting its promise as a candidate for low-cost clean energy production.

Efficient Alkaline Water/Seawater Electrolysis by Development of Ultra-Low IrO2 Nanoparticles Decorated on Hierarchical MnO2/rGO Nanostructure

“…From an industrial point of view, the use of different electrocatalysts for anodic and cathodic core reactions presents certain limitations, such as cross-contamination. This reinforces the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts for water electrolyzers . The optimized catalyst IrO 2 @MnO 2 /rGO achieved superior OER performance and further they were subjected to the HER electrochemical performance test.…”

“…This reinforces the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts for water electrolyzers. 72 The optimized catalyst IrO 2 @MnO 2 / rGO achieved superior OER performance and further they were subjected to the HER electrochemical performance test. Figure 5a shows the linear sweep voltammetry curves of IrO 2 @ MnO 2 /rGO, MnO 2 /rGO, bare nickel foam, and the benchmark catalyst Pt−C at a scan rate of 1 mV s −1 in alkaline medium.…”

Recent development and challenges in fuel cells and water electrolyzer reactions: an overview

“…7b). 60 The one-pot HT strategy has been used for the synthesis of the Ni/NiS heteronanoparticle morphology-based electrocatalyst (Fig. 8).…”

F and rare V4+doped cobalt hydroxide hybrid nanostructures: excellent OER activity with ultralow overpotential

“…12,13 Alternatively, transition metals especially Fe, Co, Ni and Cu based materials have been explored intensively for electrocatalysis because of their multivalency promoted competitive activity and Earth abundance. [14][15][16] In spite of the tremendous effort, most of the reported transition metal based OER catalysts required at least 190 mV overpotential to achieve the benchmark current density of 10 mA cm −2 . 17 In recent years, cobalt (Co) based materials such as Co 3 O 4 , 18 Co 3 O 4 /CoOOH, 19 CoP 20 and Co 4 NR 21 have emerged as potential catalysts for OER under alkaline conditions.…”