title: Single-shell carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles: synthesis and high electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction.
abstract: Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through effective and inexpensive electrocatalysts is a valuable approach for clean and renewable energy systems. Here, single-shell carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles (SCEINs) decorated on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are introduced as a novel highly active and durable non-noble-metal catalyst for the HER. This catalyst exhibits catalytic properties superior to previously studied nonprecious materials and comparable to those of platinum. The SCEIN/SWNT is synthesized by a novel fast and low-cost aerosol chemical vapor deposition method in a one-step synthesis. In SCEINs the single carbon layer does not prevent desired access of the reactants to the vicinity of the iron nanoparticles but protects the active metallic core from oxidation. This finding opens new avenues for utilizing active transition metals such as iron in a wide range of applications.
authors: Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, FI-00076 Aalto (Finland).
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Tavakkoli
authors: Tanja
authors: T
authors: Kallio
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Reynaud
authors: Albert G
authors: AG
authors: Nasibulin
authors: Christoffer
authors: C
authors: Johans
authors: Jani
authors: J
authors: Sainio
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Jiang
authors: Esko I
authors: EI
authors: Kauppinen
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Laasonen
keywords: carbon nanotubes; electrocatalysis; hydrogen evolution reaction; iron nanoparticles; nonprecious metal catalysts