A novel exsolution technique-twice lasers: rapidly aroused explosive exsolution of nanoparticles to boost...

The exsolution of nanoparticles (NPs) on material surfaces exhibits good performance with great potential in the field of catalysis. In this study, a method with twice lasers treatment (TLT) is proposed for the first time to rapidly promote the exsolution of Co NPs to the surface of (La_0.7Sr_0.3)_0.93Ti_0.93Co_0.07O₃(LSTC) by laser rapid heating to enhance the electrochemical performance of the LSTC. The entire process from precursor powder-stable perovskite crystal structure-Co NPs exsolution on the LSTC surface takes only ≈36 s by TLT. The Co NPs exsolution was confirmed by x-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. After TLT, a large number of Co NPs reached 75 particlesμm^-2appeared on the surface of LSTC with the onset potential of 1.38 V, the overpotential of 214 mV, and the Tafel slope of 81.14 mV dec^-1, showing good catalytic activity and long-term stability. The novel process of using TLT to rapidly induce exsolution of NPs enables the rapid preparation of nanoparticle-decorated perovskite materials with better electrochemical properties, thus enriching exsolution technology and opening a new avenue for surface science research.