Topotactic Transformations in an Icosahedral Nanocrystal to Form Efficient Water-Splitting Catalysts

Aram Oh, Ho Young Kim, Hionsuck Baik, Byeongyoon Kim, Nitin Kaduba Chaudhari, Sang Hoon Joo, Kwangyeol Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Designing high-performance, precious-metal-based, and economic electrocatalysts remains an important challenge in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. Here, a highly active and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst for PEM electrolyzers based on a rattle-like catalyst comprising a Ni/Ru-doped Pt core and a Pt/Ni-doped RuO2 frame shell, which is topotactically transformed from an icosahedral Pt/Ni/Ru nanocrystal, is reported. The RuO2-based frame shell with its highly reactive surfaces leads to a very high activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic media, reaching a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 239 mV, which surpasses those of previously reported catalysts. The Pt dopant in the RuO2 shell enables a sustained OER activity even after a 2000 cycles of an accelerated durability test. The Pt-based core catalyzes the hydrogen evolution reaction with an excellent mass activity. A two-electrode cell employing Pt/RuO2 as the electrode catalyst demonstrates very high activity and durability, outperforming the previously reported cell performances.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1805546
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Jan 4

Keywords

  • bifunctional electrocatalysis
  • icosahedral nanocrystals
  • nanoframes
  • platinum–nickel–ruthenium ternary alloys
  • water splitting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Topotactic Transformations in an Icosahedral Nanocrystal to Form Efficient Water-Splitting Catalysts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this