Functional Applications of Metallic Glasses in Electrocatalysis

Abstract

Metallic glasses (MGs), which are also known as amorphous metals, are formed by quenching the melts at a super high cooling rate (e. g. 106 K/s) to avoid crystallization. Compared with ordinary metals, there is no long‐range translational order and crystalline defects in MGs. Benefitting from this unique structural characteristic, MGs show many superior mechanical, physical and chemical properties and thus have been attracting intensive attentions in applications as structural materials. The investigations on the functional properties of MGs are still at the early stage, but immense potential in electrochemically functional applications has been demonstrated in recent years. In this Minireview, we aim to present an overview of the functional properties of this class of novel metallic glassy catalysts and some achievements obtained so far. We mainly focus on the applications of MGs in various electrochemical applications, like hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction as well as fuel cells. The strategies for optimizing the performance of these amorphous catalysts are discussed as well, including high‐throughput screening and nano‐engineering. In the absence of crystalline ordering, the atomic‐scale structural mechanism of MGs in electrocatalysis may be unique and will be explored. Finally, we also give perspectives on how to design novel and superior electrocatalysts for future electrocatalysis applications.

Metallic Glass Films with Nanostructured Periodic Density Fluctuations Supported on Si/SiO2as an Efficient Hydrogen Sorber

“…6 Hydrogen intake also changes the electronic structure, rendering asymmetric peaks at Pd 3d3/2 and 3d5/2 orbitals. 6 Interestingly, as opposed to the electrocatalytic hydrogen activity deterioration of Pt/C or Mo2C/C electrodes, Pd40Ni10Cu30P20 MG ribbons, 7,8 nanoporous Pd-Cu-S, 9 Pd-Ru nanoparticles, 10 Pd-Ni-P MG with micro/nano hierarchical porous structure, 8,11 and Pd-Si-Cu thin films in our previous study 12 shows a remarkable improvement as the number of CV cycles increases. Similar to high entropy alloys, [13][14][15] Pd-Ni-Si-P MG with hierarchical nanostructures, 8,16 Pd40Ni10Cu30P20 MG ribbons, 7,8 and nanoporous amorphous Pd-Cu-S 9 show a self-stabilizing behavior under long-term static overpotentials.…”

High Entropy Intermetallic–Oxide Core–Shell Nanostructure as Superb Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyst

“…Chemically complex catalytic materials have been the subject that attracts tremendous research interest in materials science and engineering. [ 1–3 ] By increasing the chemical complexity of modern catalytic materials, it has been shown that superior properties could be achieved for their use in a variety of important applications, such as wastewater remediation, [ 4–8 ] catalysis, [ 9,10 ] energy storage, [ 11 ] and fuel cells. [ 12 ] Recently, a similar design principle was proposed by metallurgists to enhance the chemical complexity of alloys through the synthesis of multi‐principal element alloys, also known as high entropy alloys (HEAs), [ 13,14 ] for enhanced mechanical properties.…”

Electrochemically dealloyed nanoporous Fe40Ni20Co20P15C5 metallic glass for efficient and stable electrocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen generation

“…22 Amorphous alloys or metallic glasses (MG's) have attracted researchers' signicant interest as a structural material due to their superior mechanical properties, and recently excellent catalytic activities of these alloys were also reported. [23][24][25] Metallic glasses (MG's) with good intrinsic electrical conductivity are also suggested to be better electrocatalyst due to their corrosive resistant properties, free-standing nature in electrolyte solutions, metastable nature leading to high catalytic activity and industrially feasible production. 26,27 The limitations of noble metal-based electrocatalysts led researchers to try transition metals like Fe, Co, Ni-based metallic glass as an alternative.…”