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Ordered clustering of single atomic Te vacancies in atomically thin PtTe2 promotes hydrogen evolution catalysis
Xinzhe Li1,2, Yiyun Fang1,2,3, Jun Wang1,4
1SZU-NUS Collaborative Center and International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronic Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Nature Communications
|April 22, 2021
Summary
Atomically controlled platinum telluride (PtTe2) nanosheets with single atomic vacancies were developed as efficient electrocatalysts. These catalysts exhibit enhanced activity and stability for hydrogen evolution reactions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts is crucial for energy conversion technologies.
- Stabilizing undercoordinated Pt sites optimizes adsorption of reactive intermediates, enhancing catalytic activity.
- Atomically controllable model catalysts are needed to understand structure-property relationships in Pt active sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create atomically defined platinum telluride (PtTe2) nanosheets with single atomic vacancies (Te-SAVs) as a model electrocatalyst.
- To investigate the correlation between the electronic structure, adsorption energy, and catalytic performance of atomic Pt sites.
- To optimize PtTe2 nanosheets for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and stability.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of atomically thin 2D PtTe2 nanosheets with well-dispersed Te-SAVs.
- Controlled thermal treatment to induce migration and formation of ordered Te-SAV clusters.
- Characterization of electronic structure and atomic Pt sites using density of states analysis.
- Evaluation of catalytic performance in hydrogen evolution reaction.
Main Results:
- PtTe2 nanosheets with atomically defined undercoordinated Pt sites and Te-SAVs were successfully prepared.
- Thermal treatment led to stabilized Te-SAV clusters, modifying Pt site electronic properties.
- The density of states and interacting orbital volume of undercoordinated Pt sites were reduced.
- Binding strength of Pt active sites to hydrogen intermediates was effectively decreased.
Conclusions:
- The engineered PtTe2 nanosheets serve as an effective model electrocatalyst for studying atomic Pt sites.
- Reduced binding strength of intermediates leads to highly active and stable hydrogen evolution reaction performance.
- This strategy offers a pathway for designing advanced Pt-based electrocatalysts through atomic site control.
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