Work

Synergistic Effects in Condensed DNA Framework‐Mediated Synthesis of Amorphous Nanoalloys for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Noble metal electrocatalysts exhibit excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity but are limited by high cost and scarcity. Amorphous nanoalloys (ANAs) offer promising alternatives, yet constructing amorphous structures at the nanoscale remains challenging. Here, we report a strategy for synthesizing FeCoNi ANAs using a condensed DNA framework (CDF) as a confined growth template. Fish sperm DNA undergoes phase separation with Fe 2+ , Co 2+ , and Ni 2+ ions to form compartmentalized structures with intrinsic self‐confinement, which suppress atomic diffusion and promote amorphization. The DNA framework further improves nanoparticle dispersibility and electrode adhesion, enabling binder‐free electrode integration. As a result, FeCoNi ANAs achieve outstanding OER activity, achieving an overpotential of only 280 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and a Tafel slope of 44.1 mV dec −1 , outperforming commercial RuO 2 . Mechanistic studies reveal that the DNA framework facilitates proton transfer and modulates intermediate adsorption, thereby enabling OER to proceed through both the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). This work presents an effective strategy for the design of high‐performance amorphous nanoalloy electrocatalysts.

Source: Small Structures

DOI: 10.1002/sstr.202500683

Authors: Zhuang Cai, Rui Gao, Jianbang Wang, Huajie Liu

Institution: Tongji 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: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,110