Shape Control of Metal Nanostructures by Electrodeposition and their Applications in Electrocatalysis

Abstract

The 3D structure of metal deposits significantly impacts the electrocatalytic performance of these materials. The topic has been extensively researched because meaningful structural control of metal and alloy deposits can greatly improve electrochemical energy conversion and storage performance. This review describes several means of controlling metal-nanoparticle structure using electrodeposition. Hard templates, such as anodized aluminum oxide, polycarbonate membranes, and polystyrene particles, can dictate the location of metal growth when used in conjunction with electrochemical deposition. Nanowires, nanobarcodes, nanotubes, and inverse opal metal structures have been created by this approach. Gas evolution at the surface during metal deposition induces the formation of metal foams with high porosity. Pulse electrodeposition is an effective means of modulating the structures of metal deposits when applied under mass transfer-limited conditions and/or in the presence of additives. This review provides representative examples of 3D metal-nanostructure fabrication via electrodeposition and its applications in methanol/ethanol oxidation, water splitting, and CO2 reduction reactions.