Abstract: Catalytic materials useful, e.g., in water oxidation performing at low overpotential and/or stable for applications such as solar-to-fuel conversion systems may include nanoscale, nanoporous Pd-containing materials. Thin-film Pd electrocatalysts may be obtained via Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) on conducting surfaces. XRD and XPS analyses show a phase pure crystalline metallic Pd deposit. Surface morphology study reveals a nanoparticulate highly porous nanostructure. Under electrochemical conditions, such Pd electrocatalysts may conduct water oxidation at onset potentials starting around 1.43 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode (? of 200 mV, Tafel slope of 40 mV/dec), and/or may achieve around 100 mA/cm2 current density at 1.63 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode, and may exhibits long-term stability in oxygen evolution. Method of making such electrocatalysts and their uses are also provided.

Abstract: Catalytic materials useful, e.g., in water oxidation performing at low overpotential and/or stable for applications such as solar-to-fuel conversion systems may include nanoscale, nanoporous Pd-containing materials. Thin-film Pd electrocatalysts may be obtained via Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) on conducting surfaces. XRD and XPS analyses show a phase pure crystalline metallic Pd deposit. Surface morphology study reveals a nanoparticulate highly porous nanostructure. Under electrochemical conditions, such Pd electrocatalysts may conduct water oxidation at onset potentials starting around 1.43 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode (?of 200 mV, Tafel slope of 40 mV/dec), and/or may achieve around 100 mA/cm2 current density at 1.63 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode, and may exhibits long-term stability in oxygen evolution. Method of making such electrocatalysts and their uses are also provided.

Abstract: An oxygen evolution reaction catalyst electrode may include: a glass electrode; a first coating, directly upon the glass electrode, comprising a layer of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO); and a second coating, directly upon the first coating, comprising a layer comprising at least 95 wt. % palladium, relative to a total weight of the second coating, wherein the palladium in the second coating is in the form of porous, spongy-textured clusters comprising palladium spheroid nanoparticles in cubic crystalline phase. The second coating may have a thickness in a range of from 0.5 to 10 ?m, and the clusters may have an average largest dimension in a range of from 500 to nm.

Abstract: A noble metal-free water oxidation electrocatalyst can be stable and obtained from earth-abundant materials, e.g., using copper-colloidal nanoparticles. The catalyst may contain nanobead and nanorod morphological features with narrow size distribution. The onset for oxygen evolution reaction can occur at a potential of 1.45 VRHE (?=220 mV). Such catalysts may be stable during long-term water electrolysis and/or exhibit a high electroactive area, e.g., with a Tafel slope of 52 mV/dec, TOF of 0.81 s?1, and/or mass activity of 87 mA/mg. The copper may also perform CO2 reduction at the cathode side. The Cu-based electrocatalytic system may provide a flexible catalyst for electrooxidation of water and for chemical energy conversion, without requiring Pt, Ir, or Ru.

Abstract: A noble metal-free water oxidation electrocatalyst can be stable and obtained from earth-abundant materials, e.g., using copper-colloidal nanoparticles. The catalyst may contain nanobead and nanorod morphological features with narrow size distribution. The onset for oxygen evolution reaction can occur at a potential of 1.45 VRHE (?=220 mV). Such catalysts may be stable during long-term water electrolysis and/or exhibit a high electroactive area, e.g., with a Tafel slope of 52 mV/dec, TOF of 0.81 s?1, and/or mass activity of 87 mA/mg. The copper may also perform CO2 reduction at the cathode side. The Cu-based electrocatalytic system may provide a flexible catalyst for electrooxidation of water and for chemical energy conversion, without requiring Pt, Ir, or Ru.

Abstract: Catalytic materials useful, e.g., in water oxidation performing at low overpotential and/or stable for applications such as solar-to-fuel conversion systems may include nanoscale, nanoporous Pd-containing materials. Thin-film Pd electrocatalysts may be obtained via Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) on conducting surfaces. XRD and XPS analyses show a phase pure crystalline metallic Pd deposit. Surface morphology study reveals a nanoparticulate highly porous nanostructure. Under electrochemical conditions, such Pd electrocatalysts may conduct water oxidation at onset potentials starting around 1.43 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode (? of 200 mV, Tafel slope of 40 mV/dec), and/or may achieve around 100 mA/cm2 current density at 1.63 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode, and may exhibits long-term stability in oxygen evolution. Method of making such electrocatalysts and their uses are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple approach for the straightforward and direct preparation of iron-oxide based electrocatalytic materials film (FeOx—Ci) on a simple Fe substrate by controlled surface-anodization and/or self-deposition in simple and low-cost carbonate buffer. The FeOx—Ci based electrocatalysts may advantageously be employed as electrode and as anode material in water oxidation, water conversion systems and fuel generation assemblies. The FeOx—Ci exhibits remarkably low over potential (??360) for anodic oxygen evolution relative to other Fe-oxide based catalysts, and show very high activity and stability for long-term water electrolysis operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition according to the following general formula: [(BL)-(M)-(Ar)-(X)]n+ (A)n-5 wherein M is a metal ion, BL is a bidentate ligand having two nitrogen atoms coordinating with a metal ion M, Ar is an, optionally substituted, conjugated cyclic hydrocarbon compound, X is H2O and A is an anion and n in n+ and n? are individually chosen from 1,2,3,4 or 5. The invention is also directed to its precursors and its use as multi-electron catalyst in a water splitting process.