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The Use of Power Ultrasound and Sonochemistry for the Production of Energy Materials

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Bruno G Pollet
Bruno G Pollet
Bruno G Pollet
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Ultrasonics - Sonochemistry
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ultson
Preface
The Use of Power Ultrasound and Sonochemistry for the Production of Energy Materials
The fabrication and use of nanomaterials for electrochemical energy
storage devices (ESD) such as fuel cells, electrolysers, batteries and
supercapacitors have been of great interest in the academic and in-
dustrial communities due to their unique properties. The important
mechanism controlling the nanosized material is nucleation and
growth, depending strongly upon the synthetic routes employed. Many
methods exist for the synthesis of nanoparticles, including alcohol re-
duction, citrate reduction, polyol reduction, borohydride reduction,
photolytic reduction, radiolytic reduction, laser ablation, and metal
evaporation condensation, to name but a few. However, the synthesis of
these materials at large scale can be challenging due to the high cost,
intense labour and use of hazardous solvents.
Since the publication of ‘The use of ultrasound for the fabrication of
fuel cell materials’ in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (IJHE)
in 2010 [1], there has been an upsurge of international interest in the
use of power ultrasound, sonochemistry, and sonoelectrochemistry for
the production of electrochemical ESD nanomaterials. For example, it
has been shown that it is possible to employ power ultrasound for the
preparation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and
Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyser (PEMWE) catalysts [2].
The review detailed the ultrasonic, sonochemical, and sonoelec-
trochemical generation of noble metal electrocatalysts with nanosizes
of < 10 nm with and without the addition of surfactants and alcohols,
carbon supported electrocatalysts, fuel cell electrodes, and membranes.
The paper showed that (i) the production of these nanomaterials is
mainly attributed to the presence of radical species induced by water
sonolysis, (ii) the nanomaterial size depends strongly upon the ultra-
sonic frequency and irradiation time, surfactant, alcohol, and atmo-
spheric gas types, and (iii) the as-prepared catalyst on carbon nano-
materials leads to excellent electrocatalytic activity due to carbon
support surface functionalization and effective dispersion caused by
sonication [1,2].
Sonochemistry is therefore a powerful hybrid technique that com-
bines power ultrasound and chemistry in a specially designed chemical
setup, which can be effectively used to produce energy nanomaterials
with controlled sizes and shapes. Moreover, the scalability of so-
nochemistry for fabricating nanomaterials at industrial scale is possible
due to its “one-pot” synthetic approach [3,4] (Fig. 1).
This special issue entitled “The Use of Power Ultrasound and
Sonochemistry for the Production of Energy Materials” contains 11
Fig. 1. Representative TEM images of (a) Pt nanoparticles, and (b) Pt nanoparticles formed directly sonoelectrochemically onto the carbon particles. The particle size
distribution of the carbon supported Pt nanoparticles is also shown in (c). Modified from [4].
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104851
Ultrasonics - Sonochemistry 64 (2020) 104851
Available online 02 November 2019
1350-4177/ © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
T
selected papers highlighting the use of ultrasound and sonochemistry
for the fabrication of energy materials, ranging from OER (Oxygen
Evolution Reaction), ORR (Oxygen Reduction Reaction) catalysts to
nanomaterials for SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), supercapacitors, su-
percapattery and photocatalysis. I would like to take the opportunity to
thank all authors for their contributions as well as the assistance from
colleagues who reviewed these manuscripts. I would also like to thank
Prof. Ashokkumar and all Executive Editors of Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
for their continuous support.
References
[1] B.G. Pollet, The use of ultrasound for the fabrication of fuel cell materials, Int. J.
Hydrog. Energy 22 (2010) 1039–1059.
[2] B.G. Pollet, The use of power ultrasound for the production of PEMFC and PEMWE
catalysts and low-Pt loading and high-performing electrodes, Catalysts 9 (2019)
246–264.
[3] Md Hujjatul Islam, Michael T.Y. Paul, Odne S. Burheim, Bruno G. Pollet, Recent
developments in the sonoelectrochemical synthesis of nanomaterials, Ultrason.
Sonochem. 59 (2019) 104711–104719.
[4] D.S. Karousos, K.I. Desdenakis, P.M. Sakkas, G. Sourkouni, B.G. Pollet, C. Argirusis,
Sonoelectrochemical one-pot synthesis of Pt–carbon black nanocomposite PEMFC
electrocatalyst, Ultrason. Sonochem. 35 (2017) 591–597.
Guest Editor
Bruno G. Pollet
Preface Ultrasonics - Sonochemistry 64 (2020) 104851
2
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Recent advances in ultrasound-assisted technologies for improved bioproduct recovery in lignocellulosic and microalgal biorefineries
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Ultrasound irradiation is a promising green technology that facilitates waste biomass fractionation, contributing to the net zero carbon emissions and a sustainable circular economy. The current review underscores the role of ultrasound as a complementary technique to the existing biomass pretreatment methods that triggers thermochemical reactions, leading to improved bioproducts recovery. The cavitation effects of ultrasound such as shock waves and microjets, which enhance structural modifications in the waste biomass are highlighted. The green pretreatment methods assisted by ultrasonication could improve the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis up to 40% and achieve lignin removal rates by nearly 80%. Further, it boosts lipid extraction from microalgal biomass by 150% and improves carbohydrate recovery by over 50%, highlighting its potential to disrupt cell walls effectively. The review also emphasizes on the life cycle assessment of ultrasound-assisted processes that offers significant advantages, including improved biomass conversion efficiency, lower energy consumption, and compatibility with green solvents.
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... The important elements to ensure maximal microalgal biomass and lipid productivity include the assessment of microalgal species, culture growth conditions, harvesting strategies, cell disruption methods, and solvent utilized in lipid extraction [116]. Ultrasound enhances cell disruption, nutrient uptake, and metabolite extraction, thereby improving the overall productivity and sustainability of microalgaebased processes [46]. It is increasingly being used in improving microalgal growth, extracting components, and processing due to increased efficiency and productivity in several ways. ...
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... Also, several investigations have demonstrated that the shape and size of the nanoparticles can be easily controlled by ultrasonication time, power, and frequency using either the sonoelectrochemical reactor setup shown in Fig. 15 or 16 [101,[170][171][172][173][174]. For further information on using US in electrochemistry for energy and environmental applications, the readers are advised to check the recent reviews [101,[171][172][173][174][175][176]. ...
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Ultrasonic waves can induce physical and chemical changes in liquid media via acoustic cavitation. Various applications have benefitted from utilizing these effects, including but not limited to the synthesis of functional materials, emulsification, cleaning, and processing. Several books and review articles in the public domain cover both fundamental and applied aspects of ultrasonics and sonochemistry. The Editors of the Ultrasonics Sonochemistry journal possess diverse expertise in this field, from theoretical and experimental aspects of acoustic cavitation to materials synthesis, environmental remediation, and sonoprocessing. This article provides Editors' perspectives on various aspects of ultrasonics and sonochemistry that may benefit students and early career researchers.
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... Acoustic cavitation from ultrasound influences chemical reactivity, otherwise termed 'sonochemistry' [30]. Sonochemistry assists physical and chemical processes and effectively leads to controlled shapes and sizes of nanomaterials [31]. The flow of the ultrasonic mechanism that leads to sono-physical effects is depicted in Fig. 3(c). ...
Ultrasonic Cavitation: An Effective Cleaner and Greener Intensification Technology in the Extraction and Surface Modification of Nanocellulose
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With rising consumer demand for natural products, a greener and cleaner technology, i.e., ultrasound-assisted extraction, has received immense attention given its effective and rapid isolation for nanocellulose compared to conventional methods. Nevertheless, the application of ultrasound on a commercial scale is limited due to the challenges associated with process optimization, high energy requirement, difficulty in equipment design and process scale-up, safety and regulatory issues. This review aims to narrow the research gap by placing the current research activities into perspectives and highlighting the diversified applications, significant roles, and potentials of ultrasound to ease future developments. In recent years, enhancements have been reported with ultrasound assistance, including a reduction in extraction duration, minimization of the reliance on harmful chemicals, and, most importantly, improved yield and properties of nanocellulose. An extensive review of the strengths and weaknesses of ultrasound-assisted treatments has also been considered. Essentially, the cavitation phenomena enhance the extraction efficiency through an increased mass transfer rate between the substrate and solvent due to the implosion of microbubbles. Optimization of process parameters such as ultrasonic intensity, duration, and frequency have indicated their significance for improved efficiency.
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... Bimetal type nanomaterials and composites with nontoxic, chemically, and thermally more stable properties are other important structures that show electrocatalytic properties [17][18][19]. These materials are used in many fields, such as photodegradation, supercapacitors, solar cells, and electrocatalysis [20][21][22]. Furthermore, these nanomaterials with high surface area and active sites have recently been preferred as electrochemical sensors. ...
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... Therefore, a method to accelerate *CO desorption while not enhancing the H 2 selectivity is greatly desired. The Pollet group has done some pioneering work on applying ultrasound to facilitate electrocatalysis [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. They found that ultrasound can remove the hydrogen bubbles from the electrode surface resulting in high current density of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in mild acid electrolyte [37]. ...
Ultrasound-boosted Selectivity of CO in CO2 Electrochemical Reduction
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Full-text available
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... The microbubbles grow and collapse almost instantaneously producing robust environment due to cavitational effects, which in turn is known to be responsible for reducing the particle size. Using accelerated ultrasound-assisted (sonochemical) synthesis and microwave heating approaches, we achieved the nanoparticles of NaFe(SO 4 ) 2 , primarily by restricting the nucleation and growth [31]. ...
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Full-text available
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... Because, its unique properties like non-toxic, low-cost, chemically, and thermally more stable [10][11][12][13][14]. For that reason, it has remarkable applications in many types of fields; such as water splitting reactions, super-capacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, photo-degradations, electrocatalysis, and many electronic devices [15][16][17][18]. Furthermore, some of the studies have focused on electrochemical sensor applications using metal titanates based nanocomposites as novel electrode materials. ...
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Pt:Sn/GO electrocatalysts for methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions: Effect of bimetallic composition and carbon support types
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Pt and Pt:Sn nanoparticles were prepared by sonochemical synthesis. Three different Pt:Sn ratios (1:1), (1:2), and (2:1) as well as two carbon supports (graphene oxide and Vulcan) were investigated on the electrochemical activity for methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions in acid medium. Characterization results indicated that the Pt:Sn composition modified the particle size and crystallinity. The oxygen content, morphology, and structure of graphene oxide support increased the Pt dispersion. The presence of Sn favors the methanol oxidation reaction reducing the formation of intermediates. Electrochemical results indicated that Pt:Sn/GO (2:1) with higher load of Pt presented superior specific activity for methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions compared to Pt/C and Pt/GO electrocatalysts. Graphic abstract (B. Ruiz-Camacho et al.): [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Materials Research Society.
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The Use of Power Ultrasound for the Production of PEMFC and PEMWE Catalysts and Low-Pt Loading and High-Performing Electrodes
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Full-text available
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  • Jul 2019
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In recent years, the synthesis and use of nanoparticles have been of special interest among the scientific communities due to their unique properties and applications in various advanced technologies. The production of these materials at industrial scale can be difficult to achieve due to high cost, intense labour and use of hazardous solvents that are often required by traditional chemical synthetic methods. Sonoelectrochemistry is a hybrid technique that combines ultrasound and electrochemistry in a specially designed electrochemical setup. This technique can be used to produce nanomaterials with controlled sizes and shapes. The production of nanoparticles by sonoelectrochemistry as a technique offers many advantages: (i) a great enhancement in mass transport near the electrode, thereby altering the rate, and sometimes the mechanism of the electrochemical reactions, (ii) a modification of surface morphology through cavitation jets at the electrode-electrolyte interface, usually causing an increase of the surface area and (iii) a thinning of the electrode diffusion layer thickness and therefore ion depletion. The scalability of sonoelectrochemistry for producing nanomaterials at industrial scale is also very plausible due to its "one-pot" synthetic approach. Recent advancements in sonoelectrochemistry for producing various types of nanomaterials are briefly reviewed in this article. It is with hope that the presentation of these studies therein can generate more interest in the field to "catalyze" future investigations in novel nanomaterial development and industrial scale-up studies.
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Sonoelectrochemical one-pot synthesis of Pt - Carbon black nanocomposite PEMFC electrocatalyst
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The use of ultrasound for the fabrication of fuel cell materials
Article
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Fuel cell electrocatalysts Ultrasound Sonochemistry a b s t r a c t This paper reviews the use and advantages of ultrasound for the preparation of fuel cell materials which is currently an emerging research area. The review also focuses on recent studies of ultrasonic, sonochemical and sonoelectrochemical production of noble metals and fuel cell electrocatalysts, carbon supported electrocatalysts, fuel cell electrodes and membranes. It is shown that ultrasound can be used as an effective method for producing nanosize mono-and bi-metallics (<10 nm) in the absence and presence of surfactants and alcohols. In most cases, the formation of nano-metallics is attributed to radical species (H and OH) generated by water sonolysis induced by cavitation whereby the nano-metallic size strongly depends upon the ultrasonic frequency and time, the type of surfactant, alcohol and atmospheric gas. It is also shown that the sonochemical production of carbon-supported mono-and bi-metallic catalysts gives excellent electrochemical activity due to surface functionalisation of the support and better dispersion induced by ultrasound. These observations are mainly due to enhanced mass-transfer caused by asymmetrical collapse of cavitation bubbles at the surface support leading to the formation of high velocity jets of liquid being directed toward its surface. This jetting, together with acoustic streaming, is thought to lead to random punctuation and disruption of the mass-transfer at the surface.
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