Heterostructured Ru/Ni(OH)₂ Nanomaterials as Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Selective Reforming of Ethanol

The electrochemical reforming of ethanol into hydrogen and hydrocarbons can reduce the electric potential energy barrier of hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting, obtaining high value-added anode products. In this work, Ru/Ni(OH)2 heterostructured nanomaterials were synthesized successfully by an in situ reduction strategy with remarkable multifunctional catalytic properties. In the hydrogen evolution reaction, Ru/Ni(OH)2 exhibits a smaller overpotential of 31 mV to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm2, which is better than that of commercial Pt/C. Notably, such heterostructured Ru/Ni(OH)2 nanomaterials also perform an outstanding catalytic selectivity toward an acetaldehyde product in the oxidation of ethanol. DFT calculations reveal that abundant Ru(0)-Ni(II) heterostructured sites are the key factor for the excellent performances. As a result, an ethanol-selective reforming electrolyzer driven by a 2 V solar cell is constructed to produce hydrogen and acetaldehyde in the cathodic and anodic part, respectively, via using Ru/Ni(OH)2 heterostructured catalysts. This work provides a forward-looking technical guidance for the design of novel energy conversion systems

Heterostructured Ru/Ni(OH)₂ Nanomaterials as Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Selective Reforming of Ethanol

The electrochemical reforming of ethanol into hydrogen and hydrocarbons can reduce the electric potential energy barrier of hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting, obtaining high value-added anode products. In this work, Ru/Ni(OH)2 heterostructured nanomaterials were synthesized successfully by an in situ reduction strategy with remarkable multifunctional catalytic properties. In the hydrogen evolution reaction, Ru/Ni(OH)2 exhibits a smaller overpotential of 31 mV to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm2, which is better than that of commercial Pt/C. Notably, such heterostructured Ru/Ni(OH)2 nanomaterials also perform an outstanding catalytic selectivity toward an acetaldehyde product in the oxidation of ethanol. DFT calculations reveal that abundant Ru(0)-Ni(II) heterostructured sites are the key factor for the excellent performances. As a result, an ethanol-selective reforming electrolyzer driven by a 2 V solar cell is constructed to produce hydrogen and acetaldehyde in the cathodic and anodic part, respectively, via using Ru/Ni(OH)2 heterostructured catalysts. This work provides a forward-looking technical guidance for the design of novel energy conversion systems

Heterostructured Ru/Ni(OH)₂ Nanomaterials as Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Selective Reforming of Ethanol

The electrochemical reforming of ethanol into hydrogen and hydrocarbons can reduce the electric potential energy barrier of hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting, obtaining high value-added anode products. In this work, Ru/Ni(OH)2 heterostructured nanomaterials were synthesized successfully by an in situ reduction strategy with remarkable multifunctional catalytic properties. In the hydrogen evolution reaction, Ru/Ni(OH)2 exhibits a smaller overpotential of 31 mV to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm2, which is better than that of commercial Pt/C. Notably, such heterostructured Ru/Ni(OH)2 nanomaterials also perform an outstanding catalytic selectivity toward an acetaldehyde product in the oxidation of ethanol. DFT calculations reveal that abundant Ru(0)-Ni(II) heterostructured sites are the key factor for the excellent performances. As a result, an ethanol-selective reforming electrolyzer driven by a 2 V solar cell is constructed to produce hydrogen and acetaldehyde in the cathodic and anodic part, respectively, via using Ru/Ni(OH)2 heterostructured catalysts. This work provides a forward-looking technical guidance for the design of novel energy conversion systems

Ultrathin Icosahedral Pt-Enriched Nanocage with Excellent Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity

Cost-efficient utilization of Pt in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great importance for the potential industrial scale demand of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. Designing a hollow structure of a Pt catalyst offers a great opportunity to enhance the electrocatalytic performance and maximize the use of precious Pt. Herein we report a routine to synthesize ultrathin icosahedral Pt-enriched nanocages. In detail, the Pt atoms were conformally deposited on the surface of Pd icosahedral seeds, followed by selective removal of the Pd core by a concentrated HNO₃ solution. The icosahedral Pt-enriched nanocage that is a few atomic layers thick includes the merits of abundant twin defects, an ultrahigh surface/volume ratio, and an ORR-favored Pt{111} facet, all of which have been demonstrated to be promoting factors for ORR. With a 10 times higher specific activity and 7 times higher mass activity, this catalyst shows more extraordinary ORR activity than the commercial Pt/C. The ORR activity of icosahedral Pt-enriched nanocages outperforms the cubic and octahedral nanocages reported in the literature, demonstrating the superiority of the icosahedral nanocage structure