Attractive Electron Delocalization Behavior of FeCoMoPB Amorphous Nanoplates for Highly Efficient Alkaline Water Oxidation. Issue 46 (10th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Qianqian; Jia, Zhe; Li, Jiaqi; He, Yezeng; Yang, Yiyuan; Li, Yongjie; Sun, Ligang; Shen, Baolong
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 18:Issue 46(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-10
• Subjects: amorphous nanoplates -- electron delocalization -- FeCoMoPB -- oxygen evolution reaction; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202204135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: The rational design of high‐performance and cost‐effective electrocatalysts to overcome the kinetically sluggish water oxidation reaction is a grand challenge in water electrolysis. Transitional metals with incompletely filled d orbitals are expected to have intrinsic electronic interaction to promote the reaction kinetics, however, the construction of multiple active sites is still a bottleneck problem. Here, inspired by an amorphous alloy design strategy with chemical tunability, a noble‐metal‐free FeCoMoPB amorphous nanoplate for superior alkaline water oxidation is developed. The achieved overpotentials at current densities of 10, 100, and 500 mA cm −2 are 239, 281, and 331 mV, respectively, while retaining a reliable stability of 48 h, outperforming most currently available electrocatalysts. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the chemical complexity of the amorphous nanoplate leads to the formation of multiple active sites that is able to greatly lower the free energy of the rate‐determining step during the water oxidation reaction. Moreover, the Mo element would result in an electron delocalization behavior to promote electron redistribution at its surrounding regions for readily donating and taking electrons. This amorphous alloy design strategy is expected to stimulate the development of more efficient electrocatalysts that is applicable in energy devices, such as metal–air batteries, fuel cells, and water electrolysis. Abstract : A noble‐metal‐free FeCoMoPB amorphous nanoplate for superior alkaline water oxidation is developed by a facile chemical reduction process. The overpotential at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 is 239 mV. Theoretical results reveal that the Mo element results in an electron delocalization behavior to promote electron redistribution at its surrounding regions for readily donating and taking electrons.