Innovative strategies for designing and constructing efficient fuel cell electrocatalysts

Chemical Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most promising energy conversion devices due to their high efficiency and zero emission; however, two major challenges, cost short lifetime, have been hindering commercialization cells. Achieving low-Pt or non-precious metal oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is main research ideas in this field. In review, degradation mechanism Pt-based catalysts firstly explained elucidated, then five strategies suggested for Pt usage without loss activity durability: modulation metal-support interactions, optimization local ionomers mass transport, composition, structure, multi-site synergistic effects. For carbon-based catalysts, problems challenges faced by heteroatom/transition-metal doped discussed, several improve carbon suggested. Particularly, an innovative quantum well catalyst structure reported quite recently presented which may open up new prospects development cell technology. Finally, review concludes with a brief conclusion future electrocatalysts.

Language: Английский

Operando unveiling the activity origin via preferential structural evolution in Ni-Fe (oxy)phosphides for efficient oxygen evolution

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(10)

Published: March 7, 2025

Non-noble metal-based heteroatom compounds demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, origin of this activity, driven by structure effects, remains unclear due to lack effective in situ/operando techniques. Herein, we employ operando quick-scan x-ray absorption fine (Q-XAFS) technique coupled with situ controlled electrochemical potential establish a structure-activity correlation OER catalyst. Using Ni-Fe bimetallic phosphides as model catalyst, Q-XAFS experiments reveal that structural transformation initiates at preferential oxidation Fe sites over Ni sites. The situ–generated O-Fe-P serves enhanced finding supported theoretical calculations. This work provides crucial insights into understanding mechanism state-of-the-art Ni-Fe–based electrocatalysts, thus advancing rational design more efficient electrocatalysts.

Language: Английский

Probing Interfacial Nanostructures of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems by In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Nano-Micro Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(1)

Published: April 30, 2025

Abstract The ability to control the electrode interfaces in an electrochemical energy storage system is essential for achieving desired performance. However, this requires in-depth understanding of detailed interfacial nanostructures under operating conditions. In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) one most powerful techniques revealing mechanisms with high spatiotemporal resolution and sensitivity complex environments. These attributes play a unique role how ion transport inside nanomaterials across dynamic conditions within working batteries. This review aims gain insight into latest developments in-situ TEM imaging probing systems, including atomic-scale structural imaging, strain field holography, integrated differential phase contrast imaging. Significant examples will be described highlight fundamental nanoscale from employing state-of-the-art visualize evolution, ionic valence state changes, mapping, dynamics. concludes by providing perspective discussion future directions development application systems.

Language: Английский