Mr. HASAN, Md. Mahmudul (3rd-year doctoral student in Nagao Lab of Materials Chemistry Area) received Best Student Paper Award in Nanotechnology Malaysia Biennial Symposium (NANOSYM 2021).

NANOSYM 2021 was organized by the Malaysia Nanotechnology Association (MNA) and was held online virtual on October 11-13, 2021.

■Date Awarded
October 13, 2021

■Title
Hierarchical Metal Nanostructures: Synthesis, Characterizations, and Electrocatalysis

■Authors
Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Yuki Nagao

■Abstract
The physical and chemical characteristics of hierarchical metal nanostructures have sparked scientific interest in heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis. Recently, the fabrication of well-defined nanostructures has received a lot of attention. In this study, we have successfully fabricated different hierarchical metal nanostructures and applied for Ascorbic acid (AA) electrooxidation. AA, known as vitamin C, is environment-friendly and releases two electrons during electro-oxidation and could be used as an alternative fuel for a direct liquid fuel cell system. Well-defined hierarchical silver dendrite nanostructures were successfully deposited on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by the simple electroless deposition method without using any capping agent, current, pressure, or temperature. This integrated electrode is applied for AA electrooxidation in neutral medium to understand the oxidation pathway. The kinetic study revealed the electron transfer process is stepwise at slower scan rates and concerted at faster scan rates. We have also synthesized Christmas-Tree-Shaped palladium nanostructures featuring many sharp edges on the GCE (Pd/GCE) by a controlled electrodeposition technique. These unique nanostructures showed excellent AA electrocatalytic activity in alkaline solution. These new synthesis processes can play an important role in the preparation of hierarchical metal nanostructures for electrocatalysis.

■Comment
We are honored to win the prize for Best Student Paper Award at NANOSYM 2021. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to my supervisor Associate Professor Yuki Nagao for his excellent remarks, suggestions, and guidance. I also appreciate Nagao LAB members for their supports. This award encouraged me to explore more in the field of science and technology.

December 8, 2021