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Activating Inert Surface Pt Single Atoms via Subsurface Doping for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Wei-Hong Lai1,2, Lifu Zhang3, Zichao Yan1
1Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia.
Nano Letters
|October 4, 2021
Summary
Engineering subsurface platinum (Pt) single atoms significantly boosts surface single-atom catalyst performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This discovery enhances catalytic efficiency and stability for advanced energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Single-atom catalyst performance is dictated by near-surface coordination environments.
- Optimizing these environments is crucial for enhancing catalytic reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of subsurface platinum (Pt) single atoms on surface Pt single-atom catalysts.
- To explore the tunability of catalytic properties through subsurface doping.
Main Methods:
- Experimental synthesis and characterization of catalysts.
- Theoretical investigations using computational methods.
- Electrochemical testing of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance.
Main Results:
- Subsurface Pt single atoms (Ptsubsurf) significantly enhance surface Pt single-atom (Pt1) catalytic efficiency for ORR.
- Catalyst performance is tunable by altering the position of Ptsubsurf within cobalt (Co) particles.
- The Pt1@Co/NC catalyst achieved a mass activity 28 times higher than commercial Pt/C.
Conclusions:
- Subsurface Pt doping is an effective strategy to engineer single-atom catalysts.
- This approach leads to remarkable improvements in ORR activity and stability.
- The findings offer a new pathway for designing high-performance electrocatalysts.
