Metal-Support Interaction between Titanium Oxynitride and Pt Nanoparticles Enables Efficient Low-Pt-Loaded High-Performance Electrodes at Relevant Oxygen Reduction Reaction Current Densities.

In the present work, we report on a synergistic relationship between platinum nanoparticles and a titanium oxynitride support (TiOxNy/C) in the context of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis. As demonstrated herein, this composite configuration results in significantly improved electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR relative to platinum dispersed on carbon support (Pt/C) at high overpotentials. Specifically, the ORR performance was assessed under an elevated mass transport regime using the modified floating electrode configuration, which enabled us to pursue the reaction closer to PEMFC-relevant current densities. A comprehensive investigation attributes the ORR performance increase to a strong interaction between platinum and the TiOxNy/C support. In particular, according to the generated strain maps obtained via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), the Pt-TiOxNy/C analogue exhibits a more localized strain in Pt nanoparticles in comparison to that in the Pt/C sample. The altered Pt structure could explain the measured ORR activity trend via the d-band theory, which lowers the platinum surface coverage with ORR intermediates. In terms of the Pt particle size effect, our observation presents an anomaly as the Pt-TiOxNy/C analogue, despite having almost two times smaller nanoparticles (2.9 nm) compared to the Pt/C benchmark (4.8 nm), manifests higher specific activity. This provides a promising strategy to further lower the Pt loading and increase the ECSA without sacrificing the catalytic activity under fuel cell-relevant potentials. Apart from the ORR, the platinum-TiOxNy/C interaction is of a sufficient magnitude not to follow the typical particle size effect also in the context of other reactions such as CO stripping, hydrogen oxidation reaction, and water discharge. The trend for the latter is ascribed to the lower oxophilicity of Pt-based on electrochemical surface coverage analysis. Namely, a lower surface coverage with oxygenated species is found for the Pt-TiOxNy/C analogue. Further insights were provided by performing a detailed STEM characterization via the identical location mode (IL-STEM) in particular, via 4DSTEM acquisition. This disclosed that Pt particles are partially encapsulated within a thin layer of TiOxNy origin.

Robust SrTiO3 Passivation of Silicon Photocathode by Reduced Graphene Oxide for Solar Water Splitting.

Development of a robust photocathode using low-cost and high-performing materials, e.g., p-Si, to produce clean fuel hydrogen has remained challenging since the semiconductor substrate is easily susceptible to (photo)corrosion under photoelectrochemical (PEC) operational conditions. A protective layer over the substrate to simultaneously provide corrosion resistance and maintain efficient charge transfer across the device is therefore needed. To this end, in the present work, we utilized pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to prepare a high-quality SrTiO3 (STO) layer to passivate the p-Si substrate using a buffer layer of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Specifically, a very thin (3.9 nm ∼10 unit cells) STO layer epitaxially overgrown on rGO-buffered Si showed the highest onset potential (0.326 V vs RHE) in comparison to the counterparts with thicker and/or nonepitaxial STO. The photovoltage, flat-band potential, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the epitaxial photocathode was more beneficial for charge separation, charge transfer, and targeted redox reaction than the nonepitaxial one. The STO/rGO/Si with a smooth and highly epitaxial STO layer outperforming the directly contacted STO/Si with a textured and polycrystalline STO layer showed the importance of having a well-defined passivation layer. In addition, the numerous pinholes formed in the directly contacted STO/Si led to the rapid degradation of the photocathode during the PEC measurements. The stability tests demonstrated the soundness of the epitaxial STO layer in passivating Si against corrosion. This study provided a facile approach for preparing a robust protection layer over a photoelectrode substrate in realizing an efficient and, at the same time, durable PEC device.

Improving the HER Activity and Stability of Pt Nanoparticles by Titanium Oxynitride Support.

Water electrolysis powered by renewables is regarded as the feasible route for the production of hydrogen, obtained at the cathode side through electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we present a rational strategy to improve the overall HER catalytic performance of Pt, which is known as the best monometallic catalyst for this reaction, by supporting it on a conductive titanium oxynitride (TiON x ) dispersed over reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons. Characterization of the Pt/TiON x composite revealed the presence of small Pt particles with diameters between 2 and 3 nm, which are well dispersed over the TiON x support. The Pt/TiON x nanocomposite exhibited improved HER activity and stability with respect to the Pt/C benchmark in an acid electrolyte, which was ascribed to the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) triggered between the TiON x support and grafted Pt nanoparticles. SMSI between TiON x and Pt was evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) through a shift of the binding energies of the characteristic Pt 4f photoelectron lines with respect to Pt/C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed the strong interaction between Pt nanoparticles and the TiON x support. This strong interaction improves the stability of Pt nanoparticles and weakens the binding of chemisorbed H atoms thereon. Both of these effects may result in enhanced HER activity.

Suppressing Platinum Electrocatalyst Degradation via a High-Surface-Area Organic Matrix Support.

Degradation of carbon-supported Pt nanocatalysts in fuel cells and electrolyzers hinders widespread commercialization of these green technologies. Transition between oxidized and reduced states of Pt during fast potential spikes triggers significant Pt dissolution. Therefore, designing Pt-based catalysts able to withstand such conditions is of critical importance. We report here on a strategy to suppress Pt dissolution by using an organic matrix tris(aza)pentacene (TAP) as an alternative support material for Pt. The major benefit of TAP is its potential-dependent conductivity in aqueous media, which was directly evidenced by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. At potentials below ∼0.45 VRHE, TAP is protonated and its conductivity is improved, which enables supported Pt to run hydrogen reactions. At potentials corresponding to Pt oxidation/reduction (>∼0.45 VRHE), TAP is deprotonated and its conductivity is restricted. Tunable conductivity of TAP enhanced the durability of the Pt/TAP with respect to Pt/C when these two materials were subjected to the same degradation protocol (0.1 M HClO4 electrolyte, 3000 voltammetric scans, 1 V/s, 0.05-1.4 VRHE). The exceptional stability of Pt/TAP composite on a nanoscale level was confirmed by identical location TEM imaging before and after the used degradation protocol. Suppression of transient Pt dissolution from Pt/TAP with respect to the Pt/C benchmark was directly measured in a setup consisting of an electrochemical flow cell connected to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Supported Iridium-based Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysts - Recent Developments.

The commercialization of acidic proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE) is heavily hindered by the price and scarcity of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst, i. e. iridium and its oxides. One of the solutions to enhance the utilization of this precious metal is to use a support to distribute well dispersed Ir nanoparticles. In addition, adequately chosen support can also impact the activity and stability of the catalyst. However, not many materials can sustain the oxidative and acidic conditions of OER in PEMWE. Hereby, we critically and extensively review the different materials proposed as possible supports for OER in acidic media and the effect they have on iridium performances.

Electrochemical Stability and Degradation Mechanisms of Commercial Carbon-Supported Gold Nanoparticles in Acidic Media.

Electrochemical stability of a commercial Au/C catalyst in an acidic electrolyte has been investigated by an accelerated stress test (AST), which consisted of 10,000 voltammetric scans (1 V/s) in the potential range between 0.58 and 1.41 VRHE. Loss of Au electrochemical surface area (ESA) during the AST pointed out to the degradation of Au/C. Coupling of an electrochemical flow cell with ICP-MS showed that only a minor amount of gold is dissolved despite the substantial loss of gold ESA during the AST (∼35% of initial value remains at the end of the AST). According to the electrochemical mass spectrometry experiments, carbon corrosion occurs during the AST but to a minor extent. By using identical location scanning electron microscopy and identical location transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to discern that the dissolution of small Au particles (<5 nm) within the polydisperse Au/C sample is the main degradation mechanism. The mass of such particles gives only a minor contribution to the overall Au mass of the polydisperse sample while giving a major contribution to the overall ESA, which explains a significant loss of ESA and minor loss of mass during the AST. The addition of low amounts of chloride anions (10-4 M) substantially promoted the degradation of gold nanoparticles. At an even higher concentration of chlorides (10-2 M), the dissolution of gold was rather effective, which is useful from the recycling point of view when rapid leaching of gold is desirable.

Stability and Degradation Mechanisms of Copper-Based Catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction.

To date, copper is the only monometallic catalyst that can electrochemically reduce CO2 into high value and energy-dense products, such as hydrocarbons and alcohols. In recent years, great efforts have been directed towards understanding how its nanoscale structure affects activity and selectivity for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR). Furthermore, many attempts have been made to improve these two properties. Nevertheless, to advance towards applied systems, the stability of the catalysts during electrolysis is of great significance. This aspect, however, remains less investigated and discussed across the CO2 RR literature. In this Minireview, the recent progress on understanding the stability of copper-based catalysts is summarized, along with the very few proposed degradation mechanisms. Finally, our perspective on the topic is given.

Catalysis of Methanol Oxidation on Bimetallic Ir/Pt(poly) Electrodes.

Oxidation of methanol was studied in alkaline solution on bimetallic Ir/Pt(poly) catalysts prepared by the spontaneous deposition of Ir on polycrystalline Pt. Nano-scale surface properties of Ir/Pt(poly) catalysts were revealed by ex situ Atomic Force Microscopy imaging. Modified electrodes were characterized in situ electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KOH. Investigations of the methanol oxidation in the same alkaline solution showed that Ir/Pt(poly) electrode obtained after 1 minute Ir deposition, which is equivalent to 80% Ir coverage, showed improved activity with respect to both constitutive metals. The observed synergism on the methanol oxidation activity was ascribed to both bifunctional and electronic effects that are induced by the presence of spontaneously deposited Ir. The origin of the synergism and the possible methanol oxidation pathways were discussed on the basis of the activities of the Ir/Pt(poly) electrodes for the oxidation of the most probable reaction intermediates, CO and formaldehyde, in the same alkaline solution.