Abstract
Utilizing supported single atoms as catalysts presents an opportunity to reduce the usage of critical raw materials such as platinum, which are essential for electrochemical reactions such as hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). Herein, we describe the synthesis of a Pt single electrocatalyst inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a redox reaction. Characterizations via electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy show the single-atom nature of the Pt. The electrochemical behavior of the sample to hydrogen and oxygen was investigated using the advanced floating electrode technique, which minimizes mass transport limitations and gives a thorough insight into the activity of the electrocatalyst. The single-atom samples showed higher HOR activity than state-of-the-art 30% Pt/C while almost no oxygen reduction reaction activity in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell operating range. The selective activity toward HOR arose as the main fingerprint of the catalyst confinement in the SWCNTs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e409 |
| Journal | Carbon Energy |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 The Authors. Carbon Energy published by Wenzhou University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
Funding
The authors thank Yaron Kaufmann for the STEM and elemental mapping. We acknowledge Diamond Light Source for time on B18 through the Energy Materials block access group (BAG). SSH acknowledges support from Horizon 2020 program within the ITN Flowcamp. DZ acknowledges funding from the Wohl Foundation for research for the promotion of UK‐Israel research cooperation. DZ acknowledges funding from Israel Ministry of Energy (grant #220‐11‐047).
Keywords
- confinement
- electrocatalysis
- hydrogen
- platinum
- single atom catalysts
