Modulating Electronic Structure of an Au‐Nanorod‐Core–PdPt‐Alloy‐Shell Catalyst for Efficient Alcohol Electro‐Oxidation. Issue 26 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Xiaobo; Wang, Qiang; Qing, Shaojun; Gao, Zhe; Tong, Xili; Yang, Nianjun
• Is Part Of: Advanced energy materials. Volume 11:Issue 26(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: alcohol electro‐oxidation -- core–shell structure -- electrocatalysts -- electronic structure -- strain effect; Energy harvesting -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Materials -- Periodicals; Photovoltaics -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Thermoelectric materials -- Periodicals; 621.31
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202100812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1614-6832

Abstract

Abstract: Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) utilize alcohol electro‐oxidation reactions (AORs) to provide electricity, where catalysts with optimal electronic structures are required to accelerate sluggish AORs. Herein, an electrocatalyst with an Au‐nanorod core and a PdPt‐alloy shell is designed. Its electronic structures are modulated through epitaxial growth of a PdPt‐alloy shell on the Au‐nanorod core, which exhibits a tensional strain effect and atomic steps. Three key problems of AORs are solved with this catalyst, including poor adsorption of alcohols on the catalyst, CO poisoning of the catalyst, and a high free energy barrier for the AORs. Taking methanol electro‐oxidation reaction (MOR) as an example, this catalyst shows 9.4 times higher mass activity than the market‐available Pt/C catalyst. Theoretic simulations prove that this catalyst has a low free energy barrier for the MOR, and strong adsorption of methanol but weaker adsorption of carbonaceous intermediates. The reasons behind this are the stretched geometric structure of the PdPt (100)‐alloy shell and the optimized electronic structure of catalytic sites on the catalyst surface. Meanwhile, efficient electro‐oxidation of ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol is realized. This work paves the way to design and synthesize universal and efficient AOR catalysts for the construction of high‐performance DAFCs. Abstract : The reported epitaxially grown PdPt‐alloy shell on an Au‐nanorod core exhibits a tensional strain effect and atomic steps. On these exposed active sites, poor adsorption of alcohol on the catalyst, CO poisoning of the catalyst, and high free energy barriers of alcohol oxidation reactions are overcome. Efficient electro‐oxidation of methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol is thus realized.