Novel multi-metal catalysts and devices and methods of use thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021164118-A1
Application number	US-201816632602-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 20, 2018
Priority date	Jul 21, 2017
Publication date	Jun 3, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

Novel multi-metal catalysts comprising abundant Earth metals are described herein. Devices comprising the catalysts of the invention are also described.Methods of producing the catalysts are also described herein.Methods of producing hydrogen using the catalysts of the invention are also described herein.

First claim

1 . A catalyst of formula I:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

wherein:
x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and
y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

2 . The catalyst of claim 1 , wherein x ranges from about 0.5 to 0.9, and y ranges from 0.2 to 0.4.

3 . The catalyst of claim 1 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

4 . The catalyst of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a film.

5 . The catalyst of claim 4 , wherein the film is applied on a substrate.

6 . The catalyst of claim 5 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of copper foil and nickel foam.

7 . An electrode comprising a substrate and a catalyst on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst of formula I:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

wherein:
x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and
y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

8 . The electrode of claim 7 , wherein x ranges from about 0.5 to 0.9, and y ranges from 0.2 to 0.4.

9 . The electrode of claim 7 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

10 . The electrode of claim 7 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of copper foil and nickel foam.

11 . A device comprising the electrode of claim 7 .

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a solar cell and a fuel cell.

13 . A method of preparing a catalyst using electrodeposition, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
a. immersing a substrate in an aqueous solution comprising cobalt, molybdenum, and phosphorous; b. applying a voltage to the substrate, wherein the catalyst forms a film on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the catalyst forms a film on the surface of the substrate.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the molar ratio between cobalt and molybdenum ranges from about 0.4:0.1 to 1.0:0.5.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the molar ratio between cobalt and molybdenum is about 0.7:0.3.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the total concentration of cobalt and molybdenum in the aqueous solution is about 50 mM.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the voltage ranges from about −1.3 V to −1.6 V.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the voltage is about −1.5 V.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the electrodeposition is performed for a period of time ranging from about 300 seconds to 900 seconds.

21 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the electrodeposition is performed for a period of time of about 600 seconds.

22 . A method of producing hydrogen, the method includes the steps of:
a. providing a cell comprising an electrode comprising a catalyst of formula I in an aqueous solution; and b. applying a current to the cell, whereby hydrogen is produced at the electrode, wherein in formula I:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the catalyst is a thin film deposited on at least a portion of the surface of the electrode.

24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the aqueous solution is an alkaline solution.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the pH of the solution is about 14.

27 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the cell includes one chamber.

28 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the cell further comprises a second electrode.

29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the cell further comprises a reference electrode.

30 . A method of water electrolysis, the method comprising the steps of:
a. providing a cell comprising an electrode comprising a catalyst of formula I in an aqueous solution; and b. applying a current to the cell, whereby water is electrolyzed at the electrode, wherein in formula 1:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the catalyst is a thin film deposited on at least a portion of the surface of the electrode.

32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

33 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the aqueous solution is an alkaline solution.

34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the pH of the solution is about 14.

35 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the cell includes one chamber.

36 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the cell further comprises a second electrode.

37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the cell further comprises a reference electrode.

38 . A method of producing hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of:
a. immersing a substrate in an aqueous solution comprising cobalt, molybdenum, and phosphorous; and b. applying a voltage to the substrate, wherein a catalyst of formula I forms a film on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate; c. removing the first aqueous solution; d. adding an alkaline solution; and applying a current to the substrate, whereby hydrogen is produced, wherein in formula 1:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the pH of the solution is about 14.

41 . A method of water electrolysis, the method comprising the steps of:
a. immersing a substrate in an aqueous solution comprising cobalt, molybdenum, and phosphorous; and b. applying a voltage to the substrate, a catalyst of formula I forms a film on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate; c. removing the aqueous solution; d. adding an alkaline solution; and e. applying a current to the substrate, whereby water is electrolyzed, wherein in formula I:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

43 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the pH of the solution is about 14.

44 . A method of producing hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of:
a. immersing a substrate in an aqueous solution comprising cobalt, molybdenum, and phosphorous; and b. applying a voltage to the substrate, wherein a catalyst of formula I forms a film on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate; c. removing the substrate from the aqueous solution; d. immersing the substrate in an alkaline solution; and e. applying a current to the substrate, whereby hydrogen is produced, wherein in formula 1:
Co x Mo y P  (formula I),

x ranges from about 0.4 to 1.0, and y ranges from about 0.1 to 0.5.

45 . The method of claim 44 , wherein x is about 0.7, and y is about 0.3.

46 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the pH of the solution is about 14.

47 . A method of water electrolysis, the method comprising the steps of:
a. immersing a substrate in an aqueous solution comprising cobalt, molybdenum, and phosphorous; and

Assignees

• Univ Temple

Inventors

• Strongin Daniel R
• Thenuwara Akila C

Classifications

• H10F77/211

  for photovoltaic cells · CPC title

• B01J37/0225

  of metal substrates · CPC title

• B01J27/19

  Molybdenum · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• C25B11/061

  Metal or alloy · CPC title