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Hydrogen Binding Energy Is Insufficient for Describing Hydrogen Evolution on Single-Atom Catalysts.
Songbo Ye1,2, Fangzhou Liu3, Fangxin She3
1Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan.
The study revises descriptors for single-atom catalysts (SACs) in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It establishes combined hydrogen and hydroxyl binding energies as key factors for designing efficient HER catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) single-atom catalysts (SACs) are crucial for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) technologies.
- The widely used hydrogen binding energy (ΔGH*) descriptor for HER is controversial for SACs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of poisoning species and H* coverage on SACs.
- To develop accurate descriptors for HER SACs by considering multiple factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pH-dependent surface Pourbaix diagrams at the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) scale.
- Employed microkinetic modeling to analyze SACs with varied metal centers.
- Conducted experimental validation using M-phthalocyanine/CNT catalysts (M = Co, Ni, Cu).
Main Results:
- HO* poisoning, realistic H* adsorption, and N-site activity are critical for HER descriptor development.
- Experimental results showed excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.
- Demonstrated the significant role of N-sites in Ni/Cu-phthalocyanine/CNT catalysts.
Conclusions:
- Established a combined descriptor (ΔGH* and ΔGHO*) for HER SACs, resolving long-standing debates.
- Provided new guidelines for designing advanced catalysts for hydrogen energy applications.
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