Dynamic coordination engineering of 2D PhenPtCl2 nanosheets for superior hydrogen evolution
Gonglei Shao1, Changfei Jing2,3, Zhinan Ma4
1Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China. shaogonglei@zzu.edu.cn.
Nature Communications
|January 9, 2024
Summary
Phenanthroline-platinum(II) chloride (PhenPtCl₂) nanosheets exhibit superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. Dynamic structural changes in active sites reveal Phen-Pt intermediates crucial for efficient H₂ production across all pH levels.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Understanding electrocatalyst structural dynamics during reactions is key to mechanism research.
- PhenPtCl₂ nanosheets were synthesized to investigate dynamic structural evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the dynamic structural evolution of PhenPtCl₂ nanosheets during electrocatalysis.
- To elucidate the mechanism of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyzed by PhenPtCl₂.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PhenPtCl₂ nanosheets.
- Characterization using various techniques.
- In situ Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to monitor dynamic changes.
- Electrocatalytic performance testing for HER across a wide pH range.
Main Results:
- PhenPtCl₂ nanosheets possess a N₂-Pt-Cl₂ coordination structure.
- HER performance of PhenPtCl₂ nanosheets exceeds commercial Pt/C across all pH.
- Dynamic coordination evolution from Phen-PtCl₂ to Phen-Pt-Cl to Phen-Pt observed.
- Phen-Pt intermediate, with unsaturated two-coordinated Pt, is vital for HER.
Conclusions:
- PhenPtCl₂ nanosheets demonstrate efficient and tunable electrocatalytic properties for HER.
- The dynamic coordination evolution and structural adaptability are critical for enhanced performance.
- Unsaturated Pt sites in the Phen-Pt intermediate facilitate H⁺ adsorption and H₂ evolution.
