Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation

Harnessing waste heat from environmental or industrial sources presents a promising approach to eco-friendly and sustainable chemical synthesis. In this study, we introduce a thermoelectrocatalytic (TECatal) system capable of utilizing even small amounts of heat for hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2&...

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Main Authors: Chunlei Li, Shun Li, Long Zhao, Jianming Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/22/5242
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author Chunlei Li
Shun Li
Long Zhao
Jianming Zhang
author_facet Chunlei Li
Shun Li
Long Zhao
Jianming Zhang
author_sort Chunlei Li
collection DOAJ
description Harnessing waste heat from environmental or industrial sources presents a promising approach to eco-friendly and sustainable chemical synthesis. In this study, we introduce a thermoelectrocatalytic (TECatal) system capable of utilizing even small amounts of heat for hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) production. We developed a nanohybrid structure, combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> nanoflakes (Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/CNTs), through a one-pot synthesis method. Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>, as a thermoelectric (TE) material, generates charge carriers under a temperature gradient via the Seebeck effect, enabling them to participate in surface redox reactions. However, the rapid recombination of these charge carriers greatly limits the TECatal activity. In the Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/CNTs nanohybrid system, the introduction of CNTs substantially enhances the efficiency of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production, as the strong bonding between CNTs and Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>, along with the excellent conductivity of CNTs, facilitates charge carrier separation and transport, as confirmed by TE electrochemical tests. This study underscores the significant potential of thermoelectric nanomaterials for converting waste heat into green chemical synthesis.
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spelling doaj-art-888e953c6f6d4df88d36f8d0e3ae9b182025-08-20T01:54:03ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-11-012922524210.3390/molecules29225242Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide GenerationChunlei Li0Shun Li1Long Zhao2Jianming Zhang3School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaHarnessing waste heat from environmental or industrial sources presents a promising approach to eco-friendly and sustainable chemical synthesis. In this study, we introduce a thermoelectrocatalytic (TECatal) system capable of utilizing even small amounts of heat for hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) production. We developed a nanohybrid structure, combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> nanoflakes (Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/CNTs), through a one-pot synthesis method. Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>, as a thermoelectric (TE) material, generates charge carriers under a temperature gradient via the Seebeck effect, enabling them to participate in surface redox reactions. However, the rapid recombination of these charge carriers greatly limits the TECatal activity. In the Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/CNTs nanohybrid system, the introduction of CNTs substantially enhances the efficiency of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production, as the strong bonding between CNTs and Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>, along with the excellent conductivity of CNTs, facilitates charge carrier separation and transport, as confirmed by TE electrochemical tests. This study underscores the significant potential of thermoelectric nanomaterials for converting waste heat into green chemical synthesis.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/22/5242thermoelectriccatalysishydrogen peroxidecarbon nanotubecharge separation
spellingShingle Chunlei Li
Shun Li
Long Zhao
Jianming Zhang
Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
Molecules
thermoelectric
catalysis
hydrogen peroxide
carbon nanotube
charge separation
title Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
title_full Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
title_fullStr Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
title_full_unstemmed Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
title_short Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Nanomaterials as Catalysts for Thermoelectric Hydrogen Peroxide Generation
title_sort bi sub 2 sub te sub 3 sub carbon nanotube hybrid nanomaterials as catalysts for thermoelectric hydrogen peroxide generation
topic thermoelectric
catalysis
hydrogen peroxide
carbon nanotube
charge separation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/22/5242
work_keys_str_mv AT chunleili bisub2subtesub3subcarbonnanotubehybridnanomaterialsascatalystsforthermoelectrichydrogenperoxidegeneration
AT shunli bisub2subtesub3subcarbonnanotubehybridnanomaterialsascatalystsforthermoelectrichydrogenperoxidegeneration
AT longzhao bisub2subtesub3subcarbonnanotubehybridnanomaterialsascatalystsforthermoelectrichydrogenperoxidegeneration
AT jianmingzhang bisub2subtesub3subcarbonnanotubehybridnanomaterialsascatalystsforthermoelectrichydrogenperoxidegeneration