Size-dependent electrocatalytic activities of printed Co3O 4 films for a monolithic photovoltaic-electrolytic hydrogen generation system

Hyo Sang Jeon, Agung Nugroho, Jaehoon Kim, Honggon Kim, Byoung Koun Min

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    7 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    As an electrocatalyst in a monolithic PV-electrolytic cell for water splitting hydrogen generation Co3O4 films were prepared by a paste coating method using Co3O4 particles. Different sized Co3O4 particles with average diameters of 145.9, 63.3 and 36.5 nm were prepared using a supercritical hydrothermal synthesis method. Electrochemical properties with respect to the particle size in the film were investigated by evaluating overpotential, charge transfer resistance (Rct), and number of active sites (q). The relation between overpotential in water oxidation at 5 mA/cm2 and BET surface area showed a slope of -73.8 ± 6.6, implying strong particle size dependence on electrocatalytic activity. Moreover, the Rct and q values and the actual hydrogen evolution rate indicated that the electrocatalytic activity of Co3O4 is attributed to physical properties (e.g. particle size) of the film. Whereas, intrinsic single site activity of the film was not significantly changed with respect to the particle size in the film.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)10587-10592
    Number of pages6
    JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
    Volume36
    Issue number17
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011 Aug

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    We gratefully acknowledge the support of the program of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) as well as the “National Agenda Project” program of Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science & Technology (KRCF).

    Keywords

    • CoO
    • Electrocatalysts
    • Electrochemical
    • Hydrogen
    • Particle size
    • Water splitting

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
    • Fuel Technology
    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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