Tuning Electron Transfer in Atomic-Scale Pt-Supported Catalysts for the Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction
Yisong Yang1, Lei Zhao1, Yiqiang Sun2
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry of Anhui Province, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
Abstract:
Developing efficient atomic-scale metal-supported catalysts is of great significance for energy conversion technologies. However, the precise modulation of electron transfer between the metal and supporter in atomic-scale metal-supported catalysts to further improve the catalytic activity is still a major challenge. Herein, we show tunable electron transfer between atomic-scale Pt and tungsten nitride/oxide supports (namely, Pt/WN and Pt/W18O49). Pt/WN with modest electron exchange and Pt/W18O49 with aggressive electron exchange exhibit notably different catalytic activities for the alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), in which Pt/WN shows a 5.7-fold enhancement in HOR intrinsic catalytic performance in comparison to Pt/W18O49. Additionally, the tunable electronic transfer at the interface of Pt/WN and Pt/W18O49, as proven by the theoretical calculation, resulted in the discrepancy of the adsorption free energy of the reaction intermediates, as well as catalytic activity, for the HOR process. Our work provides new insights into the design of advanced atomic-scale metal-supported catalysts for electrocatalysis.
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