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Published on: August 17, 2016
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Main-Group Magnesium Single-Atom Lewis Acid Sites: A CO-Tolerance Booster for Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction
Yang Yang1, Jiahe Yang1, Peng Jiang1
1Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P.R. China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|March 7, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel catalyst that enhances CO tolerance in anion exchange membrane fuel cells. The new Ru/Mg catalyst effectively mitigates CO poisoning, improving hydrogen oxidation reaction performance and fuel cell efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a major challenge for precious metal electrocatalysts used in hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR).
- This CO intolerance limits the efficiency and application of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a CO-tolerant HOR electrocatalyst for AEMFCs.
- To enhance the stability and performance of ruthenium-based catalysts by mitigating CO poisoning.
Main Methods:
- Construction of Lewis acid sites using single magnesium atoms (Mgs) anchored on a carbon substrate.
- Synthesis of ultra-small ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru) supported on Mgs/C.
- Electrochemical testing in fuel cells and in situ infrared spectroscopy.
- Theoretical calculations to elucidate the mechanism of CO oxidation and catalyst interaction.
Main Results:
- The Ru/Mgs/C catalyst demonstrated excellent CO tolerance and high HOR activity.
- Material structural stability was maintained due to the anchoring effect of Mg single atoms.
- Fuel cell tests showed recoverable performance (90% of initial activity) and high specific power density (4.11 W mg-1metal).
- Ulta-low precious metal loading (0.125 mg cm-2) was achieved with competitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Mg single atoms act as Lewis acid sites, facilitating CO electro-oxidation via Lewis acid-base interactions.
- This mechanism significantly enhances HOR activity and resistance to CO poisoning.
- The developed catalyst offers a promising solution for efficient and durable AEMFCs with reduced precious metal utilization.
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