Improved activity for the oxygen evolution reaction using a tiara-like thiolate-protected nickel nanocluster

Area of Science:

• * Nanomaterials Science
• * Electrochemistry
• * Catalysis

Background:

• * Electrochemical water splitting and CO₂ reduction are crucial for sustainable energy.
• * Efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts are needed to improve these processes.
• * Nickel compounds are effective OER catalysts in basic conditions, with atomically precise clusters being key research targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To evaluate the geometric and electronic structure of tiara-like nickel nanoclusters [Ni₅(SR)₁₀].
• * To determine the structure of Ni₅(SR)₁₀ using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
• * To investigate the OER activity of Ni₅(SR)₁₀.

Main Methods:

• * Synthesis and structural characterization of [Ni₅(SR)₁₀] nanoclusters.
• * Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for precise geometric determination.
• * Electrochemical measurements and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy to probe electronic structure and reaction mechanisms.

Main Results:

• * The geometric structure of Ni₅(SR)₁₀ was determined for the first time.
• * Ni₅(SR)₁₀ was found to readily form OER intermediates.
• * High specific activity for the oxygen evolution reaction was observed for Ni₅(SR)₁₀.

Conclusions:

• * Ni₅(SR)₁₀ exhibits excellent OER catalytic properties.
• * The unique structure of Ni₅(SR)₁₀ facilitates efficient OER intermediate formation.
• * This study advances the development of efficient catalysts for sustainable energy applications.