Work

Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising approach for clean hydrogen production, but the process is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to the spin-dependent electron transfer process. Efforts to control spin through chirality and magnetization have shown potential in enhancing OER performance. Here we harnessed the potential of topological chiral semimetals (RhSi, RhSn and RhBiS) and their spin-polarized Fermi surfaces to promote the spin-dependent electron transfer in the OER, addressing the traditional volcano-plot limitations. We show that OER activities follow the trend RhSi < RhSn < RhBiS, corresponding to the increasing extent of spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The chiral single crystals outperform achiral counterparts (RhTe 2 , RhTe and RuO 2 ) in alkaline electrolyte, with RhBiS exhibiting a specific activity two orders of magnitude higher than RuO 2 . Our work reveals the pivotal roles of chirality and SOC in spin-dependent catalysis, facilitating the design of ultra-efficient chiral catalysts.

Source: Nature Energy

DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01674-9

Authors: Xia Wang, Qun Yang, Sukriti Singh, Horst Borrmann, Vicky Hasse, Changjiang Yi, Yongkang Li, Marcus Schmidt, Xiaodong Li, Gerhard H. Fecher, Dong Zhou, Binghai Yan, Claudia Felser

Institutions: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, University of California, Los Angeles, Weizmann Institute of Science, TU Wien, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua 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: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $12,290

Funders: European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron

Awards: G1519373929, G2152757567, G2292069225, Verbundprojekt: Hochenergie-Photoemission (HAXPES) für die Materialforschung. Teilprojekt 1., Verbundprojekt HAXPES: Hochauflösende Hochenergie-Photoemission für die Materialforschung. Teilprojekt 2., G3764568615, G498768068, Verbundprojekt HAXPES: Hochauflösende Hochenergie-Photoemission für die Materialforschung. Teilprojekt 1., EXC 2147: Komplexität und Topologie in Quantenmaterialien (CT.QMAT), G6908742299, G8443214075, Verbundprojekt: Hochenergie-Photoemission (HAXPES) für die Materialforschung. Teilprojekt 2., Verbundprojekt 05K2013 - SPAHX: Spinpolarisierte Photoemissions-Spektroskopie und -mikroskopie mit harter Röntgenstrahlung zur Untersuchung komplexer magnetischer Materialien. Teilprojekt 2., G936330020

OpenAlex ID: W4404699558

FWCI: 5.933

Cites: 66

Cited by: 90

Related to: 10