Controlling the Size and Pattern Pitch of Ni(OH)2 Nanoclusters Using Dip-Pen Nanolithography to Improve Water Oxidation

Zorik Shamish; Moshe Zohar; Dror Shamir; Ariela Burg

doi:10.3390/molecules25122937

Controlling the Size and Pattern Pitch of Ni(OH)₂ Nanoclusters Using Dip-Pen Nanolithography to Improve Water Oxidation

Molecules. 2020 Jun 26;25(12):2937. doi: 10.3390/molecules25122937.

Authors

Zorik Shamish^{1

2}, Moshe Zohar³, Dror Shamir², Ariela Burg¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, P.O. Box 950, Beer-Sheva 8410802, Israel.
² Nuclear Research Center, Negev, P.O. Box 9001, Beer-Sheva 8419001, Israel.
³ Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, P.O. Box 950, Beer-Sheva 8410802, Israel.

Abstract

We use dip-pen nanolithography to accurately pattern Ni(OH)₂ nanoclusters on a metachemical surface with an exceptionally large surface area. The distance between the nanoclusters can be manipulated to control the oxygen-evolution reaction current and overpotential, thereby improving the efficiency of the water-splitting process while using minute amounts of the catalyst.

Keywords: Ni(OH)2; alternative energy; dip-pen nanolithography; meta-chemical surface; water-splitting process.

MeSH terms

Hydroxides / chemistry*
Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
Nickel / chemistry*
Oxidation-Reduction
Particle Size
Surface Properties
Water / chemistry*

Substances

Hydroxides
Water
nickel hydroxide
Nickel