Structure and Electronic Modulation in Bimetallic Alloys for Multielectron Electrochemical Energy Transformations

Maji, Mamoni (2026) Structure and Electronic Modulation in Bimetallic Alloys for Multielectron Electrochemical Energy Transformations. PhD thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (PhD thesis of Mamoni Maji (18IP001)) 18IP001.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (31MB)

Abstract

Bimetallic alloys have emerged as versatile and promising electrocatalysts for green hydrogen production, selective carbon dioxide reduction (CO₂RR), and sustainable ammonia synthesis via the nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR). Their catalytic performance can be substantially enhanced through deliberate structural and electronic modulation, guided by well-defined structure-property correlations. Chapter 1 (Introduction) provides an overview of renewable energy conversion technologies, highlighting diverse electrochemical energy conversion reactions and the role of electrocatalyst design in governing activity, selectivity and stability. Chapter 2 (Materials and Methods) details the physical, structural and electrochemical characterization methods employed throughout the thesis. Chapter 3 demonstrates that differential intermediate binding on amorphous Co85Mo15 alloy nanosheets (NSs) significantly enhances electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in neutral media. Chapter 4 illustrates that anisotropic alloying of Y into Bi induces the exposure of a tensile-strained (003) facet on the nanocrystal surface, thereby accelerating CO₂RR with high faradaic efficiency (FE) towards formate (HCOO⁻). Chapter 5 demonstrates a two-phase engineered bimetallic alloying strategy involving hcp Ni and fcc Ru, where tunable crystallographic defects and lattice strain synergistically enhance ammonia yield and FE during NO3RR. Chapter 6 presents composition-programmable amorphous Co₁-xFex (x = 0.05–0.5) self-supported alloy NSs as highly selective and multifunctional electrocatalysts for NO3RR, oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and HER. Finally, Chapter 7 covers the summary and future prospects of this thesis work.

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