Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
06:32
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
20.2K
Stable Rhodium (IV) Oxide for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Zhe Li1, Yi Feng1, Yu-Lin Liang2
1Institute of New-Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 19, 2020
Summary
Compressive strain stabilizes RhO2 clusters for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis. This novel approach yields alkaline HER activity superior to platinum, advancing clean hydrogen production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Alkaline water electrolysis is key for clean hydrogen energy production via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- Sluggish water dissociation in alkaline electrolytes hinders efficient HER.
- Noble metal oxides show catalytic promise but lack stability under reductive HER potentials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To stabilize RhO2 clusters for efficient alkaline HER catalysis.
- To engineer a novel structure that induces compressive strain in RhO2.
- To demonstrate HER activity superior to commercial platinum-based catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a strawberry-like nanostructure with RhO2 clusters embedded in Rh nanoparticles.
- Utilized the inherent incompatibility between the oxide cluster and metal substrate to induce compressive strain.
- Tested the stability and catalytic performance of the engineered material under reductive potentials.
Main Results:
- Compressive strain successfully stabilized RhO2 clusters up to -0.3 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode.
- The engineered RhO2 clusters exhibited superior alkaline HER activity compared to commercial Pt/C.
- The novel structure overcomes the instability limitations of noble metal oxides in HER.
Conclusions:
- Compressive strain is an effective strategy to stabilize noble metal oxides for HER catalysis.
- The engineered RhO2/Rh nanostructure offers a promising pathway for efficient and stable alkaline hydrogen production.
- This work opens new avenues for designing advanced electrocatalysts for clean energy applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
2.2K
Radical substitution reactions can be used to remove functional groups from molecules. The hydrogenolysis of alkyl halides is one such reaction, where the weak Sn–H bond in tributyltin hydride reacts with alkyl halides to form alkanes. Here, the reagent Bu3SnH yields tributyltin halide as a byproduct.
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
2.2K
02:58Properties of Transition Metals
29.0K
Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
29.0K
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
3.8K
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
3.8K
03:02Standard Electrode Potentials
49.4K
On comparing the reactivity of silver and lead, it is observed that the two ionic species, Ag+ (aq) and Pb2+ (aq), show a difference in their redox reactivity towards copper: the silver ion undergoes spontaneous reduction, while the lead ion does not. This relative redox activity can be easily quantified in electrochemical cells by a property called cell potential. This property is commonly known as cell voltage in electrochemistry, and it is a measure of the energy which accompanies the charge...
49.4K
03:08Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
10.7K
In addition to the oxymercuration–demercuration method, which converts the alkenes to alcohols with Markovnikov orientation, a complementary hydroboration-oxidation method yields the anti-Markovnikov product. The hydroboration reaction, discovered in 1959 by H.C. Brown, involves the addition of a B–H bond of borane to an alkene giving an organoborane intermediate. The oxidation of this intermediate with basic hydrogen peroxide forms an alcohol.
10.7K
02:44Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
12.3K
Alkenes are converted to 1,2-diols or glycols through a process called dihydroxylation. It involves the addition of two hydroxyl groups across the double bond with two different stereochemical approaches, namely anti and syn. Dihydroxylation using osmium tetroxide progresses with syn stereochemistry.
12.3K