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Updated: May 3, 2026
06:32
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
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Interfacial architecture engineering for inducing acidic microenvironments in alkaline media towards efficient
Jian Yang1, Yiwen Zeng1, Wenke Liu1
1Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, PR China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|May 1, 2026
Summary
This study engineered gold-nickel phosphide heterostructures for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysis. Tailoring interfacial structures via annealing significantly enhanced HER activity by optimizing water dissociation and creating localized acidic microenvironments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production via water electrolysis.
- Understanding intermediate behavior in alkaline HER is key for designing effective catalysts, but current knowledge is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an interfacial engineering approach using gold-nickel phosphide (Au-Ni2P) heterostructures to improve alkaline HER.
- To precisely tailor metal-support interaction (SMSI) and understand its effect on catalytic performance.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized three distinct interfacial architectures (Yolk-shell, alloyed, Janus-type) of Au-Ni2P heterostructures.
- Utilized in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural confirmation.
- Employed density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ Raman spectroscopy to investigate interfacial properties and reaction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Achieved distinct interfacial architectures: Yolk-shell (Au@Ni2P YSNs), alloyed (Au-Ni2P), and Janus-type (Ni2P-Au).
- DFT calculations showed alloyed interfaces optimize water dissociation via Au-induced Ni 3d orbital modulation and strong Au-P bonding.
- In situ Raman spectroscopy revealed enhanced water dissociation creates localized acidic microenvironments, boosting HER activity.
Conclusions:
- The HER activity followed the sequence: Au-Ni2P > Au@Ni2P YSNs > Ni2P-Au.
- Established a novel methodology for interfacial engineering through thermal-driven SMSI manipulation.
- Provided new insights into microenvironment modulation for advanced electrocatalysis.
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