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Results for “quartz crystal microbalance”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Bottom-up evolution of perovskite clusters into high-activity rhodium nanoparticles toward alkaline hydrogen evolution

Self-reconstruction has been considered an efficient means to prepare efficient electrocatalysts in various energy transformation process for bond activation and breaking. However, developing nano-sized electrocatalysts through complete in-situ reconstruction with improved activity remains challenging. Herein, we report a bottom-up evolution route of electrochemically reducing Cs 3 Rh 2 I 9 halide-perovskite clusters on N-doped carbon to prepare ultrafine Rh nanoparticles (~2.2 nm) with large lattice spacings and grain boundaries. Various in-situ and ex-situ characterizations including electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance experiments elucidate the Cs and I extraction and Rh reduction during the electrochemical reduction. These Rh nanoparticles from Cs 3 Rh 2 I 9 clusters show significantly enhanced mass and area activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction in both alkaline and chlor-alkali electrolyte, superior to liquid-reduced Rh nanoparticles as well as bulk Cs 3 Rh 2 I 9 -derived Rh via top-down electro-reduction transformation. Theoretical calculations demonstrate water activation could be boosted on Cs 3 Rh 2 I 9 clusters-derived Rh nanoparticles enriched with multiply sites, thus smoothing alkaline hydrogen evolution.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Controlling solvation in conducting redox polymers for selective electrochemical separation of nitrate from wastewater

Selective capture of nitrate from wastewater is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water and promoting resource circularity. This study investigated alkylated polyaniline redox polymers as highly-selective electrosorbents to address this challenge. By controlling polymer solvation properties through synthetic functionalization, poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA) achieves a nitrate uptake of up to 1.38 mmol g −1 -polymer and a separation factor of 7 over chloride. Poly(N-butylaniline) (PNBA) further enhances selectivity, achieving a separation factor beyond 14 due to increased hydrophobicity. The mechanisms underlying this selectivity are investigated using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and in-situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) studies, which reveal that hydrophobicity reduces chloride binding. A technoeconomic analysis indicates that methylation on PANI reduces nitrate removal costs by 50% compared to non-functionalized PANI, due to enhanced selectivity and uptake, and decreased energy consumption. PNMA electrodes demonstrate practical nitrate selectivity over 20 versus chloride in real wastewater, while avoiding sulfate binding. This study highlights the potential of controlling solvation at electroactive polymers to enhance nitrate selectivity, offering a promising design path for redox-mediated electrochemical separations.

chemical engineering↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effects of interlayer confinement and hydration on capacitive charge storage in birnessite

Nanostructured birnessite exhibits high specific capacitance and nearly ideal capacitive behaviour in aqueous electrolytes, rendering it an important electrode material for low-cost, high-power energy storage devices. The mechanism of electrochemical capacitance in birnessite has been described as both Faradaic (involving redox) and non-Faradaic (involving only electrostatic interactions). To clarify the capacitive mechanism, we characterized birnessite’s response to applied potential using ex situ X-ray diffraction, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, in situ Raman spectroscopy and operando atomic force microscope dilatometry to provide a holistic understanding of its structural, gravimetric and mechanical responses. These observations are supported by atomic-scale simulations using density functional theory for the cation-intercalated structure of birnessite, ReaxFF reactive force field-based molecular dynamics and ReaxFF-based grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations on the dynamics at the birnessite–water–electrolyte interface. We show that capacitive charge storage in birnessite is governed by interlayer cation intercalation. We conclude that the intercalation appears capacitive due to the presence of nanoconfined interlayer structural water, which mediates the interaction between the intercalated cation and the birnessite host and leads to minimal structural changes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reversible parts-per-trillion-level detection of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in tap water using field-effect transistor sensors

Widespread, persistent and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a major threat to water systems and human health. Current detection methods are relatively expensive, slow and complex, underscoring the need for more accessible alternatives to meet increasingly stringent PFAS regulations. Here, in this study, we present an ultrasensitive sensing platform for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid detection in tap water with a reporting limit ( ~ 250 parts per quadrillion) lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory standard (4 parts per trillion), using a remote gate field-effect transistor featuring β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-modified reduced graphene oxide as the sensing membrane. The sensor exhibits excellent selectivity against common inorganic ions, natural organic matter and select organic pollutants in tap water. The reversible and rapid response ( < 2 min) indicates the potential of remote gate field-effect transistor for continuous in-line monitoring. Mechanistic studies using quartz crystal microbalance and molecular dynamics simulations reveal key roles of analyte adsorption and charge properties in sensing performance and offer insights for designing more selective PFAS capture probes.

Wang, Yuqin [University of Chicago, IL (United Sta↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding KOtBu in atomic layer deposition – in situ mechanistic studies of the KNbO3 growth process

Functional coatings based on alkali metals have become increasingly attractive in the current shift towards sustainable technologies. While lithium-based compounds have a natural impact on batteries, other alkali metal compounds are important as replacements for toxic materials in a range of electronic devices. This is especially true for potassium, being a major component in e.g. K x Na 1-x NbO 3 (KNN) and KTa x Nb 1-x O 3 (KTN), with hope to replace Pb(Zr x Ti 1-x )O 3 (PZT) in piezo-/ferroelectric and electrooptic devices. ALD facilitates functional conformal coatings at deposition temperatures far below what is reported using other techniques and with excellent compositional control. The ALD growth of potassium-containing films using KO t Bu has, however, been unpredictable. Untraditional response to the pulse composition and precursor dose, severe reproducibility issues, and very high growth per cycle are some of the puzzling features of these processes. In this article, we shed light on the growth behavior of KO t Bu in ALD by in situ quartz crystal microbalance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. We study the precursor's behavior in the technologically interesting KNbO 3 -process, showing how the potassium precursor strongly affects the growth of other cation precursors. We show that the strong hygroscopic nature of the intermediary potassium species has far-reaching implications throughout the growth. This helps not only to enhance the understanding of alkali metal containing compounds’ growth in ALD, but also to provide the means to control the growth of novel sustainable technological materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Atomic layer deposition of lithium zirconium oxides for the improved performance of lithium-ion batteries

Recently there has been increasing interest to develop lithium-containing films as solid-state electrolytes or surface coatings for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and related systems. Here, in this study, we for the first time investigated the thin film growth of lithium zirconium oxides (Li x Zr y O or LZOs) through combining two individual atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes of ZrO 2 and LiOH, i.e., sub-ALD of ZrO 2 and LiOH. We revealed that the hygroscopic nature of the LiOH component has a big impact on the growth of LZOs. We found that an increased temperature to 225 °C was more effective than an elongated purge to mitigate the adverse effects of physisorbed H 2 O. We further discovered that, during the resultant LZO super-ALD processes, the growth of sub-ALD LiOH has been promoted while the growth of sub-ALD ZrO 2 has been inhibited. In this study, a suite of instruments has been applied to characterize the LZO super-ALD processes and the resultant LZO films, including in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, we applied the resulting LZO films over LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) cathodes in LIBs and demonstrated that the LZO coating films could evidently improve the lithium-ion insertion and extraction rates of the NMC622 electrodes up to 3.4 and 2.6 times, respectively. The LZO-coated NMC622 cathodes exhibited much better performance than the uncoated NMC622 ones.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mechanistic Investigation of Redox Processes in Zn-MnO2 battery in Mild Aqueous Electrolytes

Zinc-MnO2 based batteries have acquired attention for grid-level applications, due to impressive theoretical performance, cost effectiveness and intrinsic safety. However, there are still many challenges that remain elusive due to the complex and controversial mechanisms of operation that hinders commercialization. In this work, the detailed redox processes that occur at the cathode during Zn-MnO2 battery operation are elucidated. Using a blend of structural and electrochemical techniques, the redox pairs that occur during operation are mechanistically studied while also showcasing the true impact of the electrolyte additive (0.1 M MnSO4) in a 1 M ZnSO4 electrolyte. An electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance (EQCM) has been leveraged to reveal the effect of zinc hydroxy sulfate salt (Zn4SO4(OH)6·nH2O) and zinc manganese oxide (ZnxMnyOz) dissolution/deposition, which are believed to be major components during discharge and charge conditions. . These results provide insight not currently available, allowing a holistic view of the electrochemical reaction mechanisms during battery operation.

Rodriguez Perez, Ismael A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Real time quantification of mixed ion and electron transfer associated with the doping of poly(3-hexylthiophene)

Conjugated polymers have promising applications in electronics and energy storage due to the polymer's tunable conductivity and redox activity. For example, the conductivity of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is heavily dependent upon the doping level and the dopant type. This feature becomes especially important when considering P3HT or similar conjugated polymers for devices that require switching between electronic states (conductive vs. insulating). In this study, the mechanism of mixed ion-electron transfer studied using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D) is discussed. During cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge experiments, the mass change of a P3HT film is monitored in real time. Distinct mass transfer regions are quantified as a function of doping level and potential, which are then correlated to changes with in situ conductance and spectroelectrochemical response. To identify the time scale at which the doping reaction transitions from kinetic to diffusion control, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is coupled with EQCM-D. Finally, this work gives valuable insight into the nature of mixed ion–electron transfer, including its time scale, as it relates to the electronic properties of P3HT.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Water-coupled monovalent and divalent ion transport in polyviologen networks

Redox-active polymers (RAPs) are of interest as environmentally friendly and earth-abundant energy storage materials. Polyviologens are promising RAPs, but they tend to dissolve during operation. Further, the two-electron redox reaction for polyviologens in various electrolytes is not always reversible, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the redox mechanism. Here, the energy storage mechanism for a cross-linked viologen (PTPM) is demonstrated using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D), comparing NaCl and Na2SO4 aqueous electrolytes. E-QCMD reveals that the ion-electron transport mechanism is strongly dependent on the valency of the anion. More sudden and dramatic changes in the electrode's mass were observed for the divalent sulfate ion as compared to the smooth mass transitions associated with the monovalent chloride ion. Meanwhile, there was marked hysteresis in the mass transfer profile for NaCl, but little hysteresis for Na2SO4. Our results demonstrate that electrolyte design, and specifically ion valency, will have a large impact on the nature of mass transport in polymer-based electrodes. This work enables electrolyte selection for the next generation polymer batteries with improved performance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stable cycling of high-mass loaded MnO 2 electrodes for sodium-ion batteries

Achieving cost-effective, sustainable solutions for large-scale energy storage are critical for advancing the global clean energy transition. In view of the challenges posed by limited lithium reserves, low-cost sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a promising direction, especially for grid-level energy storage. Among the various battery electrode materials, manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) stands out as a favorable choice for such large-scale applications due to its earth abundance, cost-effectiveness, and non-toxic nature. Although MnO 2 is known as a pseudocapacitive material with superior cycling stability in aqueous electrolytes, its dissolution in non-aqueous electrolytes has restricted its use in long-lifetime batteries. In this study, we address two issues which have limited the use of MnO 2 electrodes in non-aqueous electrolytes. First, using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements in combination with other electrochemical methods, we demonstrate that diglyme (bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether) electrolyte can achieve stable cycling of electrodeposited ε-MnO 2 . These results enable us to tackle a second objective, that is increasing the mass loading of the MnO 2 electrode, since achieving high areal energy density is a significant factor in reducing manufacturing costs. Using 3D printed graphene aerogel (GA) as a scaffold, our studies show that the electrodeposited MnO 2 /GA electrodes possess scalable properties with mass loadings from 20 to 80 mg cm −2 . The resulting electrodes exhibit areal energy densities as high as 4.4 mA h cm −2 at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 . The high mass loaded MnO 2 electrodes were incorporated as a cathode in a SIB which used TiO 2 as the anode. The SIB device exhibited excellent performance with power densities in excess of 70 mW cm −2 . These studies highlight the promise of MnO 2 electrodes for use in a low-cost technology for large-scale energy storage.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mixed-anion electrolytes: from bulk speciation to interfacial dynamics in divalent metal electrodeposition

Mixing anions is emerging as a promising strategy for multivalent electrolyte design, allowing for adjustment of the solvation structure of bulk cations and enhancing the efficiency of electrochemical processes (e.g. metal deposition for batteries and catalysis). Further progress in electrolyte development requires a fundamental understanding of how tailored electrolyte speciation in mixed anion systems can modify the dynamic electrochemical interface during metal cycling. In this study, we present an anode-focused mechanistic study of exemplar Mg electrolytes containing three different secondary anions, correlating electrochemical behavior with bulk speciation and operando interfacial dynamics. Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) results reveal a general trend of forming mixed anion contact ion pairs (CIPs) across various anions, with the extent of ion pairing influenced by the association strength of the secondary anion. Operando multiharmonic electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (EQCM-D) reveals how these bulk species influence interfacial mass uptake, viscoelasticity, and solvent-coupled hydrodynamic behavior during deposition and stripping. The results indicate that Mg-containing ion pairs and solvated complexes shape adsorption, nucleation, and deposit growth, leading to distinct anion-dependent interphases ranging from more permeable, solvent-coupled layers to relatively compact and rigid deposits. This work establishes a quantitative link between bulk speciation and interfacial dynamics in divalent metal electrodeposition and provides mechanistic guidance for electrolyte design.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Acoustic force spectroscopy reveals subtle differences in cellulose unbinding behavior of carbohydrate-binding modules

Protein adsorption to solid carbohydrate interfaces is critical to many biological processes, particularly in biomass deconstruction. To engineer more-efficient enzymes for biomass deconstruction into sugars, it is necessary to characterize the complex protein–carbohydrate interfacial interactions. A carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) is often associated with microbial surface-tethered cellulosomes or secreted cellulase enzymes to enhance substrate accessibility. However, it is not well known how CBMs recognize, bind, and dissociate from polysaccharides to facilitate efficient cellulolytic activity, due to the lack of mechanistic understanding and a suitable toolkit to study CBM–substrate interactions. Our work outlines a general approach to study the unbinding behavior of CBMs from polysaccharide surfaces using a highly multiplexed single-molecule force spectroscopy assay. Here, we apply acoustic force spectroscopy (AFS) to probe a Clostridium thermocellum cellulosomal scaffoldin protein (CBM3a) and measure its dissociation from nanocellulose surfaces at physiologically relevant, low force loading rates. An automated microfluidic setup and method for uniform deposition of insoluble polysaccharides on the AFS chip surfaces are demonstrated. The rupture forces of wild-type CBM3a, and its Y67A mutant, unbinding from nanocellulose surfaces suggests distinct multimodal CBM binding conformations, with structural mechanisms further explored using molecular dynamics simulations. Applying classical dynamic force spectroscopy theory, the single-molecule unbinding rate at zero force is extrapolated and found to agree with bulk equilibrium unbinding rates estimated independently using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. However, our results also highlight critical limitations of applying classical theory to explain the highly multivalent binding interactions for cellulose–CBM bond rupture forces exceeding 15 pN.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design, development and commissioning of a multi-alkali semiconductor photocathode deposition system for the IUAC Delhi light source photoinjector

A fourth-generation light source, called Delhi Light Source (DLS) based on photocathode-based RF gun has been commissioned at Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi. Presently, the electron beam is being generated from copper photocathode and the beam is being used for scheduled experiments. Soon, the semiconductor photocathode will be used to produce higher beam current. Here, to develop the semiconductor photocathode, a dedicated photocathode deposition facility was developed in collaboration with Brookhaven national Laboratory (BNL) and has been successfully commissioned and becomes operational at IUAC. This deposition facility is an integrated system with the electron gun and is a unique system as it is capable of producing, preserving (without residual gas poisoning) and in-vacuum transfer of the deposited photocathodes from the deposition chamber up to the RF electron gun. The system is designed to operate under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and is equipped with load-lock chambers, substrate heating assembly, thickness monitoring via a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and an in-situ setup for quantum efficiency (QE) measurements. After testing of all the subsystems and a detailed calibration, the first deposition of a cesium telluride (Cs 2 Te) photocathode was successfully performed on a copper (Cu) substrate. This successful commissioning and initial deposition mark a significant step toward the indigenous photocathode development and lays the groundwork for further research into advanced photo emissive materials at IUAC. This paper will discuss the salient features, installation, commissioning, first semiconductor photocathode deposition and its results.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Atomic layer deposition of HfO 2 films using carbon-free tetrakis(tetrahydroborato)hafnium and water

Thin hafnium oxide films were prepared by atomic layer deposition using a carbon-free precursor, tetrakis(tetrahydroborato)hafnium [Hf(BH 4 )( 4 )], and H 2 O. Film growth was studied using an in situ quartz crystal microbalance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. Self-limiting growth was observed between 100 and 175 degrees C, but the thermal decomposition of the Hf precursor occurred at higher temperatures. The film properties were investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray reflectivity, x-ray diffraction, ellipsometry, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The as-deposited films were found to consist of an amorphous mixture of HfO 2 and B 2 O 3 , and had a lower density and lower refractive index compared to pure HfO 2 thin films. Finally, annealing the films to >750 degrees C yielded crystalline monoclinic HfO 2 with a density of 9g/cm 3 and a refractive index of 2.10.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reactor scale simulations of ALD and ALE: Ideal and non-ideal self-limited processes in a cylindrical and a 300 mm wafer cross-flow reactor

Here, we have developed a simulation tool to model self-limited processes such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) and atomic layer etching inside reactors of arbitrary geometry as well the output of in situ quartz crystal microbalance and mass spectrometry. We have applied this model to two standard types of cross-flow reactors: a cylindrical tube reactor and a model 300 mm wafer reactor, and explored both ideal and nonideal self-limited kinetics. The model results are in agreement with experimental results and analytic expressions obtained using a simple plug-flow model for the cylindrical tube reactor. We also extended the simulations to consider two nonideal self-limited processes: soft-saturating processes characterized by a slow reaction pathway and processes where surface by-products can compete with the precursor for the same pool of adsorption sites. Our results show that it is possible to have a self-limited process with saturated yet inhomogeneous growth profiles due to the competition of reactor by-products. This is in agreement with experimental observations for titanium dioxide ALD from titanium tetraisopropoxide and titanium tetrachloride precursors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nucleation and growth of molybdenum disulfide grown by thermal atomic layer deposition on metal oxides

To enable greater control over thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), here we report studies of the reactions of molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF 6 ) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) with metal oxide substrates from nucleation to few-layer films. In situ quartz crystal microbalance experiments performed at 150, 200, and 250 °C revealed temperature-dependent nucleation behavior of the MoF 6 precursor, which is attributed to variations in surface hydroxyl concentration with temperature. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with ex situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated the presence of molybdenum oxide and molybdenum oxyfluoride species during nucleation. Density functional theory calculations additionally support the formation of these species as well as predicted metal oxide to fluoride conversion. Residual gas analysis revealed reaction by-products, and the combined experimental and computational results provided insights into proposed nucleation surface reactions. With additional ALD cycles, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated steady film growth after ~13 cycles at 200 °C. XPS revealed that higher deposition temperatures resulted in a higher fraction of MoS 2 within the films. Deposition temperature was found to play an important role in film morphology with amorphous films obtained at 200 °C and below, while layered films with vertical platelets were observed at 250 °C. Finally, these results provide an improved understanding of MoS 2 nucleation, which can guide surface preparation for the deposition of few-layer films and advance MoS 2 toward integration into device manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Insight into the assembly of lipid-hyaluronan complexes in osteoarthritic conditions

Interactions between molecules in the synovial fluid and the cartilage surface may play a vital role in the formation of adsorbed films that contribute to the low friction of cartilage boundary lubrication. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease. Previous studies have shown that in OA-diseased joints, hyaluronan (HA) not only breaks down resulting in a much lower molecular weight (MW), but also its concentration is reduced ten times. Here, we have investigated the structural changes of lipid-HA complexes as a function of HA concentration and MW to simulate the physiologically relevant conditions that exist in healthy and diseased joints. Small angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering were used to determine the structure of HA-lipid vesicles in bulk solution, while a combination of atomic force microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance was applied to study their assembly on a gold surface. We infer a significant influence of both MW and HA concentrations on the structure of HA-lipid complexes in bulk and assembled on a gold surface. Our results suggest that low MW HA cannot form an amorphous layer on the gold surface, which is expected to negatively impact the mechanical integrity and longevity of the boundary layer and could contribute to the increased wear of the cartilage that has been reported in joints diseased with OA.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nanocolumnar Pt:Ni Alloy Thin Films by High Pressure Sputtering for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Self-supported nanocolumnar Pt:Ni thin films (TFs) with varying Pt:Ni atomic ratios and Pt mass loadings were produced on a microporous layer (MPL)-like surface composed of carbon particles by high pressure sputtering and examined as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Cauliflower-like microstructures were observed from scanning electron microscopy imaging. Various Pt:Ni atomic ratios were obtained by simply changing the relative deposition power between Pt and Ni source and investigated by X-ray diffraction and quartz crystal microbalance analysis. Additionally, electrochemical characterization of the Pt:Ni-TF/MPL-like-layer/glassy-carbon samples was conducted through benchtop cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode measurements. The electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) was found to be between 22–42 m 2 g -1 for different Pt:Ni atomic ratios. Lower Pt mass loadings exhibited a higher ECSA and the catalytic activity of all Pt:Ni ratios increased with the increase in Pt mass loading. The ORR activity of the Pt:Ni-TFs increased in the order of 3:1 < 1:1 < 1:3 with exhibiting a specific activity of 1781 μA cm -2 and mass activity of 0.66 A mg -1 for the Ni-rich film with 1:3 ratio. The catalytic performance of Pt:Ni-TFs were higher than traditional high surface area carbon supported Pt nanoparticles, elemental Pt nanorods, and Pt-Ni nanorods.

08 HYDROGEN↗