TY - JOUR A1 - Schulz, K. A1 - Schmack, R. A1 - Klemm, H. W. A1 - Kabelitz, Anke A1 - Schmidt, T. A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Kraehnert, R. T1 - Mechanism and kinetics of hematite crystallization in air: Linking bulk and surface models via mesoporous films with defined nanostructure JF - Chemistry of Materials N2 - Iron can form numerous oxides, hydroxides, and oxide−hydroxides. Despite their relevance, many of the transformation processes between these phases are still poorly understood. In particular the crystallization of quasi-amorphous hydroxides and oxide−hydroxides is difficult to assess, since typical diffraction and scattering methods provide only sampleaveraged information about the crystallized phases. We report a new approach for the investigation of the crystallization of oxide−hydroxides. The approach relies on model-type films that comprise a defined homogeneous nanostructure. The nanostructure allows quantitative linking of Information obtained by bulk-averaging diffraction techniques (XRD, SAXS) with locally resolved information, i.e., Domain sizes (SEM, TEM, LEEM) and phase composition (SAED). Using time-resolved imaging and diffraction we deduce mechanism and kinetics for the crystallization of ferrihydrite into hematite. Hematite forms via nucleation of hematite domains and subsequent Domain growth that terminates only upon complete transformation. A Johnson−Mehl−Avrami−Kolmogorov model describes the kinetics over a wide temperature range. The derived understanding enables the first synthesis of ferrihydrite films with ordered mesoporosity and quantitative control over the films’ hematite and ferrihydrite content. KW - Iron oxide KW - Crystallization KW - Mesoporous films KW - Nanostructure PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b05185 SN - 0897-4756 SN - 1520-5002 VL - 29 IS - 4 SP - 1724 EP - 1734 AN - OPUS4-39690 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bernsmeier, D. A1 - Bernicke, M. A1 - Ortel, Erik A1 - Bergmann, A. A1 - Lippitz, Andreas A1 - Nissen, J. A1 - Schmack, R. A1 - Strasser, P. A1 - Polte, J. A1 - Kraehnert, R. T1 - Nafion-free carbon-supported electrocatalysts with superior hydrogen evolution reaction performance by soft templating JF - CHEMELECTROCHEM N2 - Efficient water electrolysis requires electrode coatings with high catalytic activity. Platinum efficiently catalyzes the hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic environments, but is a rare and expensive metal. The activity achieved per metal atom can be increased if small Pt particles are dispersed onto electrically conductive, highly accessible and stable support materials. However, the addition of Nafion, a typical binder material used in the manufacture of electrode coatings, can decrease catalytic activity by the blocking of pores and active surface sites. A new approach is reported for the direct synthesis of highly active Nafion-free Pt/C catalyst films consisting of small Pt nanoparticles supported in size-controlled mesopores of a conductive carbon film. The synthesis relies on the co-deposition of suitable Pt and C precursors in the presence of polymer micelles, which act as pore templates. Subsequent carbonization in an inert atmosphere produces porous catalyst films with controlled film thickness, pore size and particle size. The catalysts clearly outperform all Nafion-based Pt/C catalysts reported in the literature, particularly at high current densities. KW - XPS KW - SEM KW - TEM KW - SAXS KW - Catalysis KW - Electrochemistry PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201600444 SN - 2196-0216 VL - 4 IS - 1 SP - 221 EP - 229 PB - Wiley Online Library CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-39733 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -