NiCaFe-LDH Nanoparticles for Neutral pH Water Oxidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrocatalysts for water oxidation, particularly for oxygen evolution reactions, face challenges such as slow kinetics, high overpotential requirements, and instability at excessive pH levels, limiting their industrial viability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A nickel-calcium-iron layered double hydroxide (NiCaFe-LDH) nanoparticle electrocatalyst with a formula of [Fex(NiCa)1-x](OH)2 (NO3)x. nH2O is developed, with a porous structure and specific particle size range, to enhance water oxidation efficiency at neutral pH, reducing overpotential and increasing current density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional noble metal-based electrocatalysts are used for water oxidation, then catalytic activity is improved, but cost and scarcity become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive noble metal electrocatalysts with inexpensive first-row transition metal-based LDHs (nickel, iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc, calcium), making the catalyst economically viable for industrial applications while maintaining acceptable catalytic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite LDH structures combining multiple first-row transition metals (e.g., Ni-Fe-LDH, Co-Mn-LDH) to achieve synergistic effects that enhance catalytic activity while maintaining low cost and high abundance of constituent elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If water oxidation is carried out at excessive pH to enhance reaction rate, then productivity is improved, but corrosion increases and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction rateVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts the operating pH from excessive basic conditions (pH 13-14) to neutral or mildly basic conditions (pH 7-9), reducing corrosion and improving stability while maintaining high reaction rates through optimized catalyst composition and structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If noble metal electrocatalysts are used, then oxygen evolution reaction efficiency is improved, but energy conversion efficiency decreases due to high overpotential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen evolution rateVSAvoidoverpotential

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the electronic structure and surface properties of LDH catalysts through composition control and nanostructuring, achieving low overpotential (close to thermodynamic limit) while maintaining high oxygen evolution rates at neutral pH

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If first-row transition metal LDHs are used as electrocatalysts, then cost is reduced, but catalytic performance and stability at neutral pH remain challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidcatalytic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs composite LDHs with optimized ratios of first-row transition metals (Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, Zn, Ca) to achieve synergistic catalytic effects, improving activity and stability at neutral pH while maintaining low cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous LDH structures with high surface area to volume ratio, increasing the number of active sites and enhancing catalytic performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The NiCaFe-LDH nanoparticle electrocatalyst achieves a lower onset potential and Tafel slope, improving the efficiency of water oxidation with reduced input energy costs and increased stability at neutral pH, making it suitable for industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

performing an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by applying an electrical potential between the working electrode and the counter electrode of the electrochemical cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen may be considered a practical strategy to store electricity generated from renewable energy sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11258071B2Oxidation of water using layered double hydroxide catalysts

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 AZARBAIJAN SHAHID MADANI UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method for oxidizing water including fabricating a working electrode using an electrocatalyst, preparing an electrochemical cell by putting the working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode in an electrolyte, and performing an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by applying an electrical potential between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The electrocatalyst includes a nickel-calcium-iron layered double hydroxide (NiCaFe-LDH) nanoparticle, the NiCaFe-LDH nanoparticle has a formula of [Fex)NiCa(1-x](OH)2(NO3)x.nH2O, where: 0.2≤x≤0.4 and 0≤n≤2.5.