Laser Synthesis of PtMo Single‐Atom Alloy Electrode for Ultralow Voltage Hydrogen Generation

Abstract

Maximizing atom‐utilization efficiency and high current stability are crucial for the platinum (Pt)‐based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, the Pt single‐atom anchored molybdenum (Mo) foil (Pt‐SA/Mo‐L) as a single‐atom alloy electrode is synthesized by the laser ablation strategy. The local thermal effect with fast rising–cooling rate of laser can achieve the single‐atom distribution of the precious metals (e.g., Pt, Rh, Ir, and Ru) onto the Mo foil. The synthesized self‐standing Pt‐SA/Mo‐L electrode exhibits splendid catalytic activity (31 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and high‐current‐density stability (≈850 mA cm−2 for 50 h) for HER in acidic media. The strong coordination of Pt‐Mo bonding in Pt‐SA/Mo‐L is critical for the efficient and stable HER. In addition, the ultralow electrolytic voltage of 0.598 V to afford the current density of 50 mA cm−2 is realized by utilization of the anodic molybdenum oxidation instead of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here a universal synthetic strategy of single‐atom alloys (PtMo, RhMo, IrMo, and RuMo) as self‐standing electrodes is provided for ultralow voltage and membrane‐free hydrogen production.

Single‐Atom Alloys Materials for CO2 and CH4 Catalytic Conversion

“…Chen et al [51] employed a nanosecond laser with a pulse width of 7 ns to irradiate the Ru target, leading to the vaporization of the solid target, thermal decomposition of HAuCl 4 , and formation of Au 1 Ru SAAs during the subsequent fast quenching. In 2023, Yuan et al [50] synthesized Pt 1 Mo SAA by laser ablation strategy, where the local thermal effect with fast rising-cooling rate of laser facilitated the single-atom distribution of precious metals onto the Mo foil. Created by laser irradiation in air, the local high temperature was fast increased up to 1000 °C in 4 s (Figure 1d top).…”

“…Conventional synthesis approaches encompass wet-chemistry, galvanic replacement, and sequential reduction. Moreover, other methods such as photo/electro-deposition, [14,49] laser ablation strategy, [50,51] atomic layer deposition (ALD), [52,53] in situ synthesis, [54] physical vapor deposition (PVD), [55,56] and controlled surface reaction [57] have also been applied to fabricate SAAs for numerous surface catalytic reactions including but not limited to the fields of CH 4 and CO 2 conversion.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [50] Copyright 2023, Wiley-VCH. e) Schematic diagrams of preparing SAAs by thermal evaporation technique.…”

“…d) The infrared thermal images of Pt-O-Mo/Mo under the laser irradiation in air (top) and in solution (bottom). Reproduced with permission [50]. Copyright 2023, Wiley-VCH.…”