Immiscible bi-metal single-atoms driven synthesis of electrocatalysts having superb mass-activity and durability

  • Ahmad M. Harzandi
  • , Sahar Shadman
  • , Miran Ha
  • , Chang Woo Myung
  • , Dong Yeon Kim
  • , Hyo Ju Park
  • , Siraj Sultan
  • , Woo Suk Noh
  • , Wanggeun Lee
  • , Pandiarajan Thangavel
  • , Woo Jin Byun
  • , Seong hun Lee
  • , Jitendra N. Tiwari
  • , Tae Joo Shin
  • , Jae Hoon Park
  • , Zonghoon Lee
  • , Jae Sung Lee
  • , Kwang S. Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

128 Scopus citations

Abstract

Properties of metal elements can be modified by alloying. Given that catalytic efficiencies are often maximized using metal single-atoms (SAs), two immiscible metals can improve the catalytic activity when they can be present as non-agglomerated dual SAs. Here, we report yet-unexplored synthesis of high-performance electrocatalysts utilizing immiscibility of Cu/Ru bimetal atoms. In the synthesized electrocatalyst (Cu/Ru@GN), both Cu-SAs and Ru-SAs are dispersed on N-doped graphitic-matrix (GN), while other Cu-SAs are bridged to Ru nanoparticles (NPs) surface via nitrogen. It shows superior mass-activity with outstanding catalytic performance and durability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), outperforming commercial Pt20wt%/C. Cu-SAs along with Ru-NPs enhance electric conduction or charge-transfer rate of GN-templates for fast kinetics. Owing to Cu-Ru immiscibility, the coordination of Cu-SAs by N atoms which bridge to Ru-NPs surface, introduces new active sites and brings about long-term stability (over 600 h in acidic media) by preventing aggregation of Ru-NPs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number118896
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume270
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Charge transfer
  • Hydrogen evolution reaction
  • Immiscible bi-metals
  • Single-atoms

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