A tri-functionalised PtSnO_x-based electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation via ammonia decomposition under native pH...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier, but water electrolysis faces challenges.
• Ammonia electrolysis offers lower thermodynamic energy for hydrogen production.
• Existing platinum electrocatalysts suffer from instability and hydroxyl ion sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stable and highly active electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation via ammonia decomposition.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional platinum-based catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of platinum-tin oxide (PtSnOₓ) nanoparticles.
• Electrocatalytic testing for aqueous ammonia decomposition.
• Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Main Results:

• PtSnOₓ nanoparticles demonstrated high electrocatalytic activity and stability for hydrogen production from aqueous ammonia.
• The catalyst operated effectively under native pH conditions, showing no hydroxyl ion sensitivity.
• Characterization revealed PtSnOₓ as a tri-functional electrocatalyst, facilitating ammonia adsorption, activation, and hydrogen transfer.

Conclusions:

• PtSnOₓ nanoparticles offer a promising solution for efficient and stable hydrogen generation from ammonia.
• The proposed mechanism highlights the synergistic roles of Pt and SnOₓ in ammonia decomposition.
• This research opens new avenues for selective NH bond oxidation and hydrogen production under mild conditions.