A1 Journal article (refereed)
Enhancing electrocatalytic activity in metallic thin films through surface segregation of carbon (2024)

Kousar, A., Quliyeva, U., Pande, I., Sainio, J., Julin, J., Sajavaara, T., Karttunen, A. J., & Laurila, T. (2024). Enhancing electrocatalytic activity in metallic thin films through surface segregation of carbon. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 26(3), 2355-2362. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP04316A

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kousar, Ayesha; Quliyeva, Ulviyya; Pande, Ishan; Sainio, Jani; Julin, Jaakko; Sajavaara, Timo; Karttunen, Antti J.; Laurila, Tomi

Journal or series: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

ISSN: 1463-9076

eISSN: 1463-9084

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 12/12/2023

Volume: 26

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 2355-2362

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP04316A

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93004

Abstract

Thin layers of commonly used adhesion metals i.e., Cr and Ti were annealed to investigate and estimate their impact on the electrochemical properties of the carbon nanomaterials grown on top of them. The microstructure, surface chemistry, and electrochemical activities of these materials were evaluated and compared with those of as-deposited thin films. The results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis (TOF-ERDA), and conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) indicated the formation of a catalytic graphite layer on Cr following annealing, while no such layer was formed on Ti. This is attributed to the formation of the Cr2O3 layer on annealed Cr, which acts as a barrier to carbon diffusion into the underlying Cr. Conversely, Ti exhibits a high solubility for both carbon and oxygen, preventing the formation of the graphite layer. Cyclic voltammetry results showed that annealed Cr electrodes are electrochemically active towards both dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) while no electrochemical activity is exhibited by annealed Ti. Quantum chemical calculations suggested that the presence of carbon as graphene or an amorphous form is critical for the oxidation reaction of probes. These results are significant for comprehending how the distinct solubilities of typical interstitial solutes influence the microstructure of adhesion metal layers and consequently yield diverse electrochemical properties.

Keywords: electrocatalysis; thin films; nanostructures; electrochemistry; surface chemistry

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3