Significantly Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Activity of Freestanding Pd‐Ru Distorted Icosahedral Clusters with less than 600 Atoms. Issue 72 (30th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Suli; Zhang, Qinghua; Bao, Jianchun; Li, Yafei; Dai, Zhihui; Gu, Lin
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 23:Issue 72(2017)
• Page Start: 18203
• Page End: 18207
• Publication Date: 2017-11-30
• Subjects: distorted clusters -- electrocatalysts -- freestanding clusters -- hydrogen evolution -- ruthenium; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201702913
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

Abstract: Freestanding metal nanoclusters can tune, precisely and effectively, the Gibbs free energy (Δ G H ) of atomic hydrogen on the surface of materials. This enables the enhancement of hydrogen evolution activity. In this paper, we report a study of freestanding Pd‐Ru distorted icosahedral clusters (ico‐clusters) with less than 600 atoms by using a simple one‐pot synthesis method. This Pd‐Ru ico‐cluster can be used as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic water, which is a promising alternative to Pt. The experimental and theoretical results suggest that the face‐centered cubic (fcc) freestanding Pd‐Ru distorted ico‐clusters with less than 600 atoms ensure increased active edges and distorted defect sites, which reduce the coordination number for the atoms on the catalyst surface. Furthermore, Ru is a more effective hydrogen dissociation source, whereas Pd has a better hydrogen storage function. Pd‐Ru can tune the Δ G H of atomic hydrogen adsorbed on a catalyst and reach an optimal equilibrium state that improves the HER performance. Our studies represent a robust approach towards the development of freestanding Pd‐Ru distorted ico‐clusters and advanced catalysts with non‐Pt content for HER and many other heterogeneous reactions. Abstract : Stay tuned ! distorted icosahedral clusters with less than 600 atoms can be used as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic water, which is a promising alternative to Pt (see figure).