Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

The excessive use of fossil fuels has led to their rapid depletion, causing an energy crisis and environmental issues. Consequently, there's a growing focus on sustainable energy conversion. Electrocatalysts are pivotal in this development, particularly for fuel cells and solar fuel generators, necessitating high-efficiency, cost-effective catalysts for large-scale adoption. Transition metal chalcogenides have emerged as promising electrocatalysts due to their high efficiency, electrochemical tunability, and abundant active sites. This work is divided in two parts. In Part A, we have investigated transition metal chalcogenide and few atom clusters FACs as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and reduction, highlighting their structure-property relationships using density functional theory (DFT). Moreover, various strategies have been employed to enhance catalytic activity, including nanostructuring of catalysts and the design of photoactive metal chalcogenide catalysts. In Part B of this research, we delve into the electrocatalytic capabilities of transition metal chalcogenides in catalyzing biomolecule conversions, thereby augmenting their utility as biosensors for the detection of critical disorders including neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. In this study, we have identified various binary metal selenide and telluride compositions grown on different flexible substrates using electrodeposition, hydrothermal synthesis, and chemical vapor deposition techniques. These compositions demonstrate remarkable sensing capabilities for biomolecules, particularly at low applied potentials.

Advisor(s)

Nath, Manashi

Committee Member(s)

Choudhury, Amitava
Kim, Chang-Soo
Switzer, Jay A., 1950-
Wang, Risheng

Department(s)

Chemistry

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemistry

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

This dissertation consists of the following twelve articles, formatted in the style used by the Missouri University of Science and Technology:

Paper I, found on pages 72-104, has published in “J. Phys. Energy”.

Paper II, found on pages 105-160, has published in “J. Mater. Chem. A”.

Paper III, found on pages 161-182, has published in “Chem. Commun”.

Paper IV, found on pages 183-213, has published in “Front. Chem.”.

Paper V, found on pages 214-250, has published in “Curr. Opin. Electrochem.”

Paper VI, found on pages 251-287, is intended for submission to “ACS Catalysis”.

Paper VII, found on pages 288-321, has published in “J. Mater. Res”.

Paper VIII, found on pages 322-359, has published in “ACS Appl. Nano Mater”.

Paper IX, found on pages 360-387, is intended for submission to “Mat. Adv”.

Paper X, found on pages 388-408, is intended for submission to “J. Mat. Chem. B”.

Paper XI, found on pages 409-439, is intended for submission to “Chem. Eng. J.”.

Paper XII, found on pages 440-460 “intended for submission to “Chem. Eng. J.”.

Pagination

xxv, 484 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 462-483)

Rights

© 2025 Harish Singh , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12500

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Included in

Chemistry Commons

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