Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
Cu-based dual-metal site catalysts for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction
Jingwei Li1,2, Tiantian Yang1,2, Nana Zhang1,2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China. hui_liu@tju.edu.cn.
We developed a novel copper-rhodium-chromium dual-metal single-atom catalyst (DMSC) using spark ablation in liquid. This DMSC exhibits excellent alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction performance, matching commercial platinum/carbon catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean energy technologies.
- Single-atom catalysts offer high atom utilization efficiency and unique catalytic properties.
- Challenges remain in synthesizing stable and highly active single-atom catalysts for alkaline media.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel dual-metal single-atom catalyst (DMSC) with isolated Rh and Cr atoms in Cu nanoparticles.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of isolated Rh and Cr single atoms on the electrocatalytic performance.
- To evaluate the alkaline HER electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized DMSC.
Main Methods:
- Spark ablation in liquid (SAL) method for synthesizing CuRh1Cr1 DMSC.
- Electrochemical characterization techniques to assess HER performance.
- Analysis of the coordination environments of isolated Rh and Cr single atoms.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized CuRh1Cr1 DMSC with isolated Rh and Cr single atoms dispersed in Cu nanoparticles.
- Observed different coordination environments for isolated Rh and Cr atoms.
- Demonstrated that the synergistic effect of Rh and Cr single atoms drives the catalytic process.
- Achieved alkaline HER electrocatalytic performance comparable to commercial Pt/C.
Conclusions:
- The SAL method is effective for creating DMSCs with isolated single atoms.
- The synergistic interaction between isolated Rh and Cr atoms enhances catalytic activity.
- The CuRh1Cr1 DMSC presents a promising, cost-effective alternative to Pt-based catalysts for alkaline HER.
More Related Videos
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
09:18Simple Methods for the Preparation of Non-noble Metal Bulk-electrodes for Electrocatalytic Applications
Published on: June 21, 2017
Related Concept Videos
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
02:50Catalysis
02:24Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.