Synthesis of Ce & Zr-ZSM-5 Composites and their Electrochemical Studies

Abstract

Energy generation and storing is a major issue that world is facing nowadays as fossil fuels are running out at a higher pace. So, this is call of time to explore alternative to these conventional energy sources. Scientists have found a number of reusable and natural energy sources other than fossil fuels, which are environment friendly and renewable. Those include solar energy, ocean energy, wind energy etc. but a major problem with the sources is, these do not supply energy uniformly, all the time. So, to maintain a constant source of energy, several storage devices are required, which are able to store energy at peak times of generation and can give away when energy production is low. These storage systems may be in the form of heat storage, mechanical energy storage, batteries or capacitors. Zeolites possess strong catalytic properties due to their highly porous structure and geometry. Along with acting as catalysts, they also carry several other functions for various applications. Hydrothermally synthesized zeolites are used in water treatment, catalytic cracking, organo-chemical conversions and many more. Keeping in view the above mentioned issues, zeolites were opted as a catalyst for water splitting and for capacitive purposes. ZSM-5 was synthesized by solvent free hydrothermal method, along with its two forms doped with 1 gm of Zr and Ce salts. These synthesized ZSM-5 sample and its composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET and FTIR techniques, through which ZSM-5 was found to be a highly porous crystalline material, having surface area of 299 m2/g. These properties are highly affected by doping. Resultant ZSM-5 and its composites were electrochemically active, so employed as a catalyst for water splitting and for capacitance analysis in pallets form. Zr-ZSM-5 was active towards water splitting, showing current density of 220 mAcm-1 and taffel slope of 87 mV/dec. Doped samples showed higher dielectric activity as compared to pure one. Ce-ZSM-5 showed dielectric constant of 7.4 x 103 with angular losses of 1.5.