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Confined Flash Pt1/WC inside Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient and Durable Electrocatalysis
Sheng Zhu1,2, Qian Xu1, Chong Guan1
1Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Education Ministry, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
Researchers developed a novel chainmail catalyst using isolated platinum atoms on tungsten carbide within carbon nanotubes. This Pt1/WC@CNTs catalyst offers high activity and durability for sustainable hydrogen production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Sustainable hydrogen production relies on cost-effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts.
- Existing nanocatalysts often lack both high activity and long-term durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly active and durable catalyst for acid HER.
- To explore a novel synthesis method for single-atom catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of isolated platinum atom anchored tungsten carbide nanocrystals encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes (Pt1/WC@CNTs) using confined flash Joule heating.
- Carbothermal reduction reaction for millisecond formation of nanostructures.
- Electrocatalytic performance testing for HER.
Main Results:
- Pt1/WC@CNTs demonstrated excellent catalytic performance for acid HER.
- Achieved a low overpotential of 45.2 mV at 10 mA cm-2.
- Exhibited long-term durability exceeding 500 hours of continuous operation.
Conclusions:
- The Pt1/WC@CNTs chainmail catalyst offers a promising solution for efficient and stable hydrogen production.
- Confined flash Joule heating enables ultrafast synthesis of controllable single-atom catalysts.
- Strong metal-support interaction at the Pt1-W2C interface enhances catalytic activity and stability.
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