Crystal Phase and Architecture Engineering of Lotus‐Thalamus‐Shaped Pt‐Ni Anisotropic Superstructures for Highly Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution. Issue 30 (7th June 2018) - Zhang, Zhicheng
Abstract: The rational design and synthesis of anisotropic 3D nanostructures with specific composition, morphology, surface structure, and crystal phase is of significant importance for their diverse applications. Here, the synthesis of well‐crystalline lotus‐thalamus‐shaped Pt‐Ni anisotropic superstructures (ASs) via a facile one‐pot solvothermal method is reported. The Pt‐Ni ASs with Pt‐rich surface are composed of one Ni‐rich "core" with face‐centered cubic (fcc) phase, Ni‐rich "arms" with hexagonal close‐packed phase protruding from the core, and facet‐selectively grown Pt‐rich "lotus seeds" with fcc phase on the end surfaces of the "arms." Impressively, these unique Pt‐Ni ASs exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward the hydrogen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions compared to commercial Pt/C and previously reported electrocatalysts. The obtained overpotential is as low as 27.7 mV at current density of 10 mA cm −2, and the turnover frequency reaches 18.63 H2 s −1 at the overpotential of 50 mV. This work provides a new strategy for the synthesis of highly anisotropic superstructures with a spatial heterogeneity to boost their promising application in catalytic reactions. Abstract : Well‐crystalline lotus‐thalamus‐shaped Pt‐Ni anisotropic superstructures (ASs) with unique hexagonal‐close‐packed/face‐centered‐cubic crystal phases and Pt‐rich surface are synthesized via a simple one‐pot solvothermal method. The obtained Pt‐Ni ASs exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward the hydrogen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions compared to commercial Pt/C and other reported electrocatalysts.