Work

Engineering Platinum–Cobalt Nano‐alloys in Porous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Highly efficient electrocatalysts are essential for the production of green hydrogen from water electrolysis. Herein, a metal‐organic framework‐assisted pyrolysis‐replacement‐reorganization approach is developed to obtain ultrafine Pt‐Co alloy nanoparticles (sub‐10 nm) attached on the inner and outer shells of porous nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) with closed ends. During the thermal reorganization, the migration of Pt‐Co nano‐alloys to both surfaces ensures the maximized exposure of active sites while maintaining the robust attachment to the porous carbon matrix. Density functional theory calculations suggest a nearly thermodynamically‐neutral free energy of adsorption for hydrogen intermediates and diversified active sites induced by alloying, thus resulting in a great promotion in intrinsic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Benefiting from the delicate structural design and compositional modulation, the optimized Pt 3 Co@NCNT electrocatalyst manifests outstanding HER activity and superior stability in both acidic and alkaline media.

Source: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202106547

Authors: Song Lin Zhang, Xue Feng Lu, Zhi‐Peng Wu, Deyan Luan, Xiong Wen (David) Lou

Institutions: Nanyang Technological University, Zhengzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation Singapore, Ministry of Education - Singapore, Ministry of Education, India