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Ternary nickel–tungsten–copper alloy rivals platinum for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen oxidation

Author

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  • Shuai Qin

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yu Duan

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xiao-Long Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Li-Rong Zheng

    (Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fei-Yue Gao

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Peng-Peng Yang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhuang-Zhuang Niu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Ren Liu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yu Yang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xu-Sheng Zheng

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jun-Fa Zhu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Min-Rui Gao

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

Operating fuel cells in alkaline environments permits the use of platinum-group-metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts and inexpensive bipolar plates, leading to significant cost reduction. Of the PGM-free catalysts explored, however, only a few nickel-based materials are active for catalyzing the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkali; moreover, these catalysts deactivate rapidly at high anode potentials owing to nickel hydroxide formation. Here we describe that a nickel–tungsten–copper (Ni5.2WCu2.2) ternary alloy showing HOR activity rivals Pt/C benchmark in alkaline electrolyte. Importantly, we achieved a high anode potential up to 0.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode on this catalyst with good operational stability over 20 h. The catalyst also displays excellent CO-tolerant ability that Pt/C catalyst lacks. Experimental and theoretical studies uncover that nickel, tungsten, and copper play in synergy to create a favorable alloying surface for optimized hydrogen and hydroxyl bindings, as well as for the improved oxidation resistance, which result in the HOR enhancement.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuai Qin & Yu Duan & Xiao-Long Zhang & Li-Rong Zheng & Fei-Yue Gao & Peng-Peng Yang & Zhuang-Zhuang Niu & Ren Liu & Yu Yang & Xu-Sheng Zheng & Jun-Fa Zhu & Min-Rui Gao, 2021. "Ternary nickel–tungsten–copper alloy rivals platinum for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22996-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22996-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Bingxing Zhang & Baohua Zhang & Guoqiang Zhao & Jianmei Wang & Danqing Liu & Yaping Chen & Lixue Xia & Mingxia Gao & Yongfeng Liu & Wenping Sun & Hongge Pan, 2022. "Atomically dispersed chromium coordinated with hydroxyl clusters enabling efficient hydrogen oxidation on ruthenium," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Xingdong Wang & Xuerui Liu & Jinjie Fang & Houpeng Wang & Xianwei Liu & Haiyong Wang & Chengjin Chen & Yongsheng Wang & Xuejiang Zhang & Wei Zhu & Zhongbin Zhuang, 2024. "Tuning the apparent hydrogen binding energy to achieve high-performance Ni-based hydrogen oxidation reaction catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Jiadong Chen & Chunhong Chen & Minkai Qin & Ben Li & Binbin Lin & Qing Mao & Hongbin Yang & Bin Liu & Yong Wang, 2022. "Reversible hydrogen spillover in Ru-WO3-x enhances hydrogen evolution activity in neutral pH water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Xiaoning Wang & Lianming Zhao & Xuejin Li & Yong Liu & Yesheng Wang & Qiaofeng Yao & Jianping Xie & Qingzhong Xue & Zifeng Yan & Xun Yuan & Wei Xing, 2022. "Atomic-precision Pt6 nanoclusters for enhanced hydrogen electro-oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Xiaoning Wang & Yanfu Tong & Wenting Feng & Pengyun Liu & Xuejin Li & Yongpeng Cui & Tonghui Cai & Lianming Zhao & Qingzhong Xue & Zifeng Yan & Xun Yuan & Wei Xing, 2023. "Embedding oxophilic rare-earth single atom in platinum nanoclusters for efficient hydrogen electro-oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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