Laser Synthesis of PtMo Single‐Atom Alloy Electrode for Ultralow Voltage Hydrogen Generation

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2024-02, Vol.36 (5), p.e2305375-n/a
• Main Authors: Yuan, Haifeng, Jiang, Di, Li, Zhimeng, Liu, Xiaoyu, Tang, Zhenfei, Zhang, Xuzihan, Zhao, Lili, Huang, Man, Liu, Hong, Song, Kepeng, Zhou, Weijia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; anodic oxidation reactions; Anodizing; Bonding strength; Catalytic activity; Cooling rate; Electric potential; Electrocatalysts; Electrodes; electrolyzers; Foils; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Hydrogen production; Iridium; Laser ablation; laser synthesis; Lasers; Molybdenum; Oxidation; Oxygen evolution reactions; self‐standing electrodes; Single atom catalysts; single‐atom alloys; Stability; Temperature effects; Voltage
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305375

Maximizing atom‐utilization efficiency and high current stability are crucial for the platinum (Pt)‐based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, the Pt single‐atom anchored molybdenum (Mo) foil (Pt‐SA/Mo‐L) as a single‐atom alloy electrode is synthesized by the laser ablation strategy. The local thermal effect with fast rising–cooling rate of laser can achieve the single‐atom distribution of the precious metals (e.g., Pt, Rh, Ir, and Ru) onto the Mo foil. The synthesized self‐standing Pt‐SA/Mo‐L electrode exhibits splendid catalytic activity (31 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and high‐current‐density stability (≈850 mA cm−2 for 50 h) for HER in acidic media. The strong coordination of Pt‐Mo bonding in Pt‐SA/Mo‐L is critical for the efficient and stable HER. In addition, the ultralow electrolytic voltage of 0.598 V to afford the current density of 50 mA cm−2 is realized by utilization of the anodic molybdenum oxidation instead of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here a universal synthetic strategy of single‐atom alloys (PtMo, RhMo, IrMo, and RuMo) as self‐standing electrodes is provided for ultralow voltage and membrane‐free hydrogen production. The universal laser ablation synthesis strategy of single‐atom alloy (PtMo, RhMo, IrMo, and RuMo) self‐standing electrodes is developed. Attributed to the optimized electron distribution and strong bonding between the Pt single atom and Mo substrate, the self‐standing PtMo single‐atom alloy electrode (Pt‐SA0.056/Mo‐L) possesses the splendid catalytic activity and high‐current‐density stability for hydrogen evolution reaction.