Local atomic structure modulations activate metal oxide as electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution in acidic water

Yu Hang Li, Peng Fei Liu, Lin Feng Pan, Hai Feng Wang (), Zhen Zhong Yang, Li Rong Zheng, P. Hu, Hui Jun Zhao, Lin Gu and Hua Gui Yang ()
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Yu Hang Li: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Peng Fei Liu: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Lin Feng Pan: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Hai Feng Wang: Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology
Zhen Zhong Yang: Institute of Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Li Rong Zheng: Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
P. Hu: Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology
Hui Jun Zhao: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University
Lin Gu: Institute of Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hua Gui Yang: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Modifications of local structure at atomic level could precisely and effectively tune the capacity of materials, enabling enhancement in the catalytic activity. Here we modulate the local atomic structure of a classical but inert transition metal oxide, tungsten trioxide, to be an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution in acidic water, which has shown promise as an alternative to platinum. Structural analyses and theoretical calculations together indicate that the origin of the enhanced activity could be attributed to the tailored electronic structure by means of the local atomic structure modulations. We anticipate that suitable structure modulations might be applied on other transition metal oxides to meet the optimal thermodynamic and kinetic requirements, which may pave the way to unlock the potential of other promising candidates as cost-effective electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution in industry.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9064

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