Adaptation of Gold Nanoparticles for Zinc-Air Battery Applications
Date
2024
Authors
Thomas, Spencer
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
Zinc-air batteries show promise as an efficient clean-energy storage technology. However, they face several challenges including sluggish reaction kinetics for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To combat the poor kinetics, extensive research has been employed into catalyst design to improve reaction speed and efficiency. This study explores a unique approach to catalyst design, utilizing synthesised multifaceted gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with good ORR performance under alkaline conditions and, addressing AuNPs' limited reactivity in the OER, copper was introduced into the AuNPs, capitalizing on the good OER activity of copper for battery operation.
Description
Keywords
energy technologies, materials chemistry, electrochemistry