Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025
10:37
A Rapid Synthesis Method for Au, Pd, and Pt Aerogels Via Direct Solution-Based Reduction
Published on: June 18, 2018
8.8K
A General Synthesis of Crystal Phase Controllable Aerogels for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Kai Deng1, Wenxin Wang1, Zilong Lian1
1A State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 11, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to create amorphous/crystalline hetero-phase aerogels for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis. The amorphous/crystalline ruthenium-boride (a/c-RuB) aerogel shows superior performance and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Amorphous/crystalline (a/c) hetero-phase structures are promising electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- Phase-selective synthesis of these materials for optimal HER performance remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a general route for synthesizing various heterogeneous aerogels with amorphous and crystalline phases.
- To investigate the HER performance of these novel hetero-phase aerogels, particularly a/c-RuB.
Main Methods:
- A controlled sodium borohydride (NaBH4) reduction method was employed for the synthesis of heterogeneous aerogels (RuB, PtB, PdB, RhB).
- Electrochemical characterization was performed to evaluate the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance.
Main Results:
- The synthesized a/c-RuB aerogel demonstrated enhanced HER performance compared to other materials.
- It achieved a low overpotential of 39 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2.
- The a/c-RuB aerogel also exhibited excellent long-term stability.
Conclusions:
- The developed phase-selective synthesis strategy is effective for creating advanced hetero-phase electrocatalysts.
- a/c-RuB aerogels are highly efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
- This approach offers a new pathway for designing and developing next-generation HER catalysts.
