Coordinated Ionic Self-Assembly of Highly Ordered Mesoporous Pt₂Sn₂S₆ Networks for Boosted Hydrogen Evolution

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Ordered mesoporous metal sulfides are promising for renewable energy but difficult to synthesize.
• Conventional self-assembly methods face challenges in creating these complex structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile synthesis strategy for ordered mesoporous metal sulfides.
• To explore the application of these materials in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Main Methods:

• Coordinated ionic self-assembly strategy using cationic surfactants and anionic sulfur pairs.
• Utilized ammonia and ligands to control precipitation for effective assembly.
• Characterization of the mesoporous Pt2Sn2S6 structure and its performance in HER.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized highly ordered mesoporous Pt2Sn2S6 with 4.2 nm pores in a hexagonal mesophase.
• Demonstrated excellent catalytic activity with a low overpotential (13 mV) and Tafel slope (34 mV dec-1).
• Achieved long-term durability over 100 hours for the HER in alkaline solution.

Conclusions:

• The coordinated ionic self-assembly strategy is effective for synthesizing functional mesoporous metal sulfides.
• Mesoporous Pt2Sn2S6 shows significant potential for efficient and durable electrochemical hydrogen production.
• This work provides a versatile platform for developing advanced materials for future energy technologies.