Hydrogen is set to play a central role in the energy industry of the future. The current political situation in Europe is intensively promoting the development of alternative energy sources to natural gas. Intensive research is being carried out into how hydrogen can be produced, stored, transported and converted into energy. The electrolytic separation of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen has been studied for a long time in order to get closer to this goal. Electrodes play a critical role in this process.
Typically, electrodes for water splitting use precious metals. Scientists at Korea University have now developed high-performance textile-based electrodes for water splitting that can produce a large amount of hydrogen with low overvoltages and high operational stability. Non-precious metal-based catalysts were deposited on porous substrates with a large surface area using solution processes. A carbonization/interface assembly driven electrodeposition approach was applied to highly porous silk textiles. Thanks to the fine control of electrocatalytic deposition on the carbonized silk fibrils, insulating silks could be transformed into high performance water splitting electrodes with metal-like conductivity, large electrocatalytic area, low overvoltages and high operational stability. Silk textiles were converted into carboxylic acid-functionalized conductive textiles by carbonization under nitrogen and subsequent acid treatment. Amine linkers were built onto the conductive textiles to achieve favorable interfacial interactions with electrocatalysts.
Schematic representation of the carbonization/interfacial assembly-driven electroplating process for the production of water-splitting electrodes
Nickel was electroplated onto the interface-modified textile to produce an electrode for the hydrogen evolution reaction, while a NiFeCo layer was additionally deposited onto the Ni electroplated textile to produce an electrode for the oxygen evolution reaction.
According to the authors, the modified silk electrode could be a promising tool for the development of high-performance electrodes for water electrolysis and other electrochemical energy devices.
Energy Environ. Sci, 2022, 15, pp. 3815-3829
Faucets in Bangladesh
The production of kitchen and bathroom fittings without surface treatment is unthinkable. For almost 50 years, there has been a family business in the capital of Bangladesh called Raja Metal Industries, which specializes in this area. Although the market is heavily influenced by imports from China and India, there are opportunities for local companies to discover a niche. Over the decades, Raja Metal has had a good and stable market in the city of Sylhet, but not in the capital Dhaka.
Various government agencies such as the Public Works Department, the armed forces and the Bangladesh Police are regular customers of Raja Metal, where quality is very important. The government provided support during the coronavirus crisis.
With 150 workers, the company has a capacity of 5,000 pieces per day, but actual production is currently around 2,000 pieces.
However, as construction activity increases throughout the country, the demand for taps is also skyrocketing. Competition for Raja is now coming from large local groups that have recently entered the industry, including RFL, Akij Group, Abul Khair Group and Anwar Group. This indicates that the Bangladeshi market for bathroom and kitchen fittings has great potential.
Export of chromic acid, jewelry and gemstones
Vishnu Chemicals manufactures chromium and barium based basic chemicals and is now looking to strengthen its global marketing network. It has recently entered North and South America with local partners. The company exports its products, mainly chromic acid and other chromium (VI) compounds, to 57 countries around the world. In addition to electroplating, the wood preservation industry consumes large quantities of chromic acid. The company has many large mining areas that are rich in chromium and barium.
A major project to promote the production of jewelry and gemstones is currently underway with the so-called Mega Common Facility Centre in the SEEPZ free trade zone in Mumbai. The objectives include increasing the industry's capacity for product manufacturing, the use of cutting-edge technology and the establishment of training and qualification facilities. A training center is planned to further improve the skills of craftsmen in the industry. The platform will help boost gemstone and jewelry exports from India and offer a wide range of value-added services such as CAD-CAM, electroplating, brand testing, manufacturing, 3D metal printing as well as consultancy, research and development and training.
