UC Riverside

Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electricity with high efficiency and low pollutant emission via redox reactions at the anode and cathode. The implementation of hydrogen fuel cell depends on the large scale production of hydrogen. Though ‘’hydrogen economy” scenario looks attractive, a breakthrough in hydrogen production. An efficient fuel cell is also dependent on a good ionic conductor between the electrodes and good electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions.

Artificial photosynthesis, which can convert solar energy directly into chemical energy is critical for sustainable energy supply and environmental conservation. Here, we demonstrate a facile synthetic method for generating one-dimensional crystalline rutile photoanode with simultaneous Ti3+ self-doping inside the sample. A subsequent hydrothermal treatment in N2H4 can further enhance its performance in photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Additionally, we demonstrate an anion stripping method that convert neutral metal-organic frameworks into cationic ones. Anion conductivity can be potentially achieved for the first place in anion-conducting MOFs that could be utilized in anion exchange membrane fuel cells and reduce the usage of electrocatalysts.

Recently, MOFs have also been used as precursors or templates to synthesize new forms of porous carbons because they offer a number of unique advantages. One particular area in which MOF-derived heteroatom-decorated carbon materials can play an important role is the catalysis for oxygen reduction reactions. We report the synthesis, characterizations, and electrocatalytic activities of nitrogen doped hierarchically porous spherical carbon shells embedded with Fe nanoparticles through the simultaneous decomposition and evolution of an iron containing MOFs. Our strategy for MIL-100-Fe into ORR catalysts with specific morphology can also be extended to an enormous pool of MOF materials, which provides an avenue to develop various doped carbon materials for fuel cells and other applications.