Work

Tailoring a local acid-like microenvironment for efficient neutral hydrogen evolution

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction in neutral media is listed as the most difficult challenges of energy catalysis due to the sluggish kinetics. Herein, the Ir-H x WO 3 catalyst is readily synthesized and exhibits enhanced performance for neutral hydrogen evolution reaction. H x WO 3 support is functioned as proton sponge to create a local acid-like microenvironment around Ir metal sites by spontaneous injection of protons to WO 3 , as evidenced by spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. Rationalize revitalized lattice-hydrogen species located in the interface are coupled with H ad atoms on metallic Ir surfaces via thermodynamically favorable Volmer-Tafel steps, and thereby a fast kinetics. Elaborated Ir-H x WO 3 demonstrates acid-like activity with a low overpotential of 20 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and low Tafel slope of 28 mV dec −1 , which are even comparable to those in acidic environment. The concept exemplified in this work offer the possibilities for tailoring local reaction microenvironment to regulate catalytic activity and pathway.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39963-8