Charge Polarization from Atomic Metals on Adjacent Graphitic Layers for Enhancing the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. Issue 28 (24th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Longzhou; Jia, Yi; Liu, Hongli; Zhuang, Linzhou; Yan, Xuecheng; Lang, Chengguang; Wang, Xin; Yang, Dongjiang; Huang, Keke; Feng, Shouhua; Yao, Xiangdong
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 58:Issue 28(2019)
• Page Start: 9404
• Page End: 9408
• Publication Date: 2019-06-24
• Subjects: atomic metals -- charge polarization -- electrocatalysis -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- multi-layered carbon; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201902107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Atomic metal species‐based catalysts (AMCs) show remarkable possibilities in various catalytic reactions. The coordination configuration of the metal atoms has been widely recognized as the determining factor to the electronic structure and the catalytic activity. However, the synergistic effect between the adjacent layers of the multilayered AMCs is always neglected. We reported an atomic Co and Pt co‐trapped carbon catalyst, which exhibits a ultrahigh activity for HER in the wide range of pH ( η 10 =27 and 50 mV in acidic and alkaline media, respectively) with ultralow metal loadings (1.72 and 0.16 wt % for Co and Pt, respectively), which is much superior to the commercial Pt/C. Theoretical analysis reveals that the atomic metals on the inner graphitic layers significantly alter the electronic structure of the outmost layer, thus tailoring the HER activity. This finding arouses a re‐thinking of the intrinsic activity origins of AMCs and suggests a new avenue in the structure design of AMCs. Abstract : Atomic metals on multi‐layered carbons : Charge polarization around the atomic metals on the surface of the catalyst was found to be induced by the atomic metals on the inner adjacent carbon layer. This tailored electronic structure accelerates the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, and it is much superior to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.