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Mass Transfer to a Nanoelectrocatalyst
  • Theodore Wiesner,
  • Klaudia Mata (Robinson,
  • Matthew Jordan
Theodore Wiesner
Texas Tech University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Klaudia Mata (Robinson
Texas Tech University
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Matthew Jordan
EnergyX
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Abstract

There are few mass transfer studies to nanocatalysts (1 nm ≤ dp ≤ 100 nm). We have experimentally investigated the electrocatalytic reduction of hexacyanoferrate (III) to hexacyanoferrate (II) on gold nanospheres. The surface flux is insensitive to particle sizes of dp≥ 30 nm. For particle sizes of dp < 30 nm, the flux increases sharply with decreasing particle size. However, the measured fluxes are one to three orders of magnitude smaller than predicted by a purely diffusion-limited model. Using mathematical modeling, we evaluated six mechanisms potentially affecting mass transfer to a nanoparticle. Flux concentration due to the curvature effect and electromigration become important below 30 nm. Stabilizing layers on the particle also greatly influence the flux through electrosteric effects. Brownian advection, enhanced surface reactivity, and particle aggregation play negligible roles. Tuning the charge and the tortuosity of the stabilizer layer to potentiate the flux may be useful in nanosuspensions.
22 Feb 2024Submitted to AIChE Journal
24 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
24 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
01 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Apr 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
01 Jun 20241st Revision Received
02 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
02 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
03 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Accept