Best catalytic materials for water splitting for green hydrogen

There are several catalytic materials that are commonly used for water splitting to produce green hydrogen gas, including:

1. Platinum: Platinum is a highly effective catalyst for water splitting, but it is also very expensive, which limits its widespread use.

2. Iridium: Iridium is a less expensive alternative to platinum and is also effective at catalyzing the reaction.

3. Nickel: Nickel is a relatively inexpensive catalyst that is effective at catalyzing the water splitting reaction, but it tends to deactivate quickly and may require frequent replacement.

4. Cobalt: Cobalt is a relatively inexpensive catalyst that is effective at catalyzing the water splitting reaction, but it tends to deactivate quickly and may require frequent replacement.

5. Iron: Iron is an inexpensive catalyst that is effective at catalyzing the water splitting reaction, but it tends to deactivate quickly and may require frequent replacement.

6. Nickel-Iron: Nickel-Iron alloys are relatively inexpensive catalysts that are effective at catalyzing the water splitting reaction and tend to be more stable than pure iron or nickel catalysts.

7. Nickel-Molybdenum: Nickel-Molybdenum alloys are relatively inexpensive catalysts that are effective at catalyzing the water splitting reaction and tend to be more stable than pure nickel or molybdenum catalysts.

Overall, the choice of catalytic material will depend on the specific requirements of the water splitting system, including cost, efficiency, and durability.

Most cited papers in graphene related subjects

The most cited one is the “Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films” which was published in 2004 and so far it has been cited more than 19,000 times. And this papers was considered when the two of the authors of this paper were granted with Nobel prize for physics in 2010.

1.             Novoselov, K.S., et al., Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science, 2004. 306(5696): p. 666-669. (19,000 plus citations)

2.             Novoselov, K.S., et al., Two-dimensional gas of massless Dirac fermions in graphene. Nature, 2005. 438(7065): p. 197-200.

3.             Zhang, Y.B., et al., Experimental observation of the quantum Hall effect and Berry's phase in graphene. Nature, 2005. 438(7065): p. 201-204.

4.             Ferrari, A.C., et al., Raman spectrum of graphene and graphene layers. Physical Review Letters, 2006. 97(18).

5.             Stankovich, S., et al., Graphene-based composite materials. Nature, 2006. 442(7100): p. 282-286.

6.             Geim, A.K. and K.S. Novoselov, The rise of graphene. Nature Materials, 2007. 6(3): p. 183-191.

7.             Stankovich, S., et al., Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide. Carbon, 2007. 45(7): p. 1558-1565.

8.             Lee, C., et al., Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science, 2008. 321(5887): p. 385-388.

9.             Castro Neto, A.H., et al., The electronic properties of graphene. Reviews of Modern Physics, 2009. 81(1): p. 109-162.

10.          Geim, A.K., Graphene: Status and Prospects. Science, 2009. 324(5934): p. 1530-1534.

Who build the first ever nanoparticle?

It is believed that the use of nanotechnology is aged back to centuries. However thousands years ago they build things without knowing what is happening in the bottom line. Greek glasses, specially the Lycurgus Cup is considered to unknowingly use nano scale developments. Anyway the synthesis of nanoparticle with the intention of making nano particle is still surprisingly old. It was  1857 by Faraday by reducing aqueous solution of (Na[AuCl4]) with phosphorus in carbon disulphide [1]. After centuries, when electron microscopy was developed it was found that Faraday's attempts were extraordinary with achievement of 4~8 nm range of nano-particle in solution [2] .  This quite common achievement for gold nanoparticle as gold nanoparticle demonstrate less aggregations than other metals such as platinum and specially palladium. However, Faradays's achievement back in 1857 can not be underestimate. So it can conclude,  Faraday is the first ever person to synthesis nanoparticles and published it properly to the scientific world.

References
1. M. Faraday, Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, 1857, 147, 145–181.
2. J. Turkevich, P. C. Stevenson and J. Hillier, Discuss. Faraday
Soc., 1951, 11, 55–75.

 

The paper which revealed the Faraday's achievement 

MIT's effort on nanoporous graphene for Water desalination was highlighted in DOE

Source: http://pubs.acs.org  (for original photo, go to the research paper)

Department of Energy, USA highlighted effort on Water Desalination across Nanoporous Graphene of by David Cohen-Tanugi and Jeffrey C. Grossman of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We earlier reported and reviewed this research paper in June of 2012 after recognize its worthiness. DOE pointed out its potentiality to be used in desalination of water especially where water is inadequate.  We wish all the best on future of this research which is lead by Jeffrey C. Grossman with his 12 member team including 6 post doctorals. 

Two articles about Graphene were among most viewed in Chemistry on Sciencedirect

Recent advances in graphene based polymer composites which was authored by Tapas Kuilla et al (a team of Republic of Korea and USA) and Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites which was published by Jeffrey R. Potts et al (a team based on USA) were among top 25 hot article in between Jan-March 2012 in Chemistry category of Sciencedirect. Both of articles are reviews which covers extensive areas of graphene which can be access and purchased via following links

Recent advances in graphene based polymer composites

Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites

Graphene may revolutionize touch-screen displays, solar panels and LED lighting.

We all know touch screens are smart enough to sense a very soft finger movement and has increased user friendliness of mobile devices and even desktops. Anyway it is subjected to cracks while using and worst it can be broken when it is fallen down. As answer to this question, researchers at Rice University discuss about ability of graphene to lead touch screens of mobile phones and tablets Cheaper, no more cracked screens, and being able to make thinner devices. 

Graphene can be used as flexible and stretchable transparent electrodes in the future

 Once it was mentioned by BBC and miracle material. See what researchers imagine of capabilities of Graphene, due to high ratio of surface area/weight, strength, conductivity and many flexible features.