Origin of efficient oxygen reduction reaction on Pd monolayer supported on Pd-M (M=Ni, Fe) intermetallic alloy

Cyano-Bridged Bimetallic Polymer Network-Derived Pd3Fe Intermetallic for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries

The rational design and synthesis of bifunctionally active and durable oxygen electrocatalysts have garnered significant attention for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Intermetallic nanostructures are particularly promising for these applications due to their unique catalytic properties and exceptional durability. In this study, we present a fascinating synthetic approach for the direct synthesis of a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst based on nitrogen-doped carbon-encapsulated ordered Pd3Fe (o-Pd3Fe@NC) intermetallic, using a cyano-bridged bimetallic single-source precursor tailored for aqueous rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Through temperature-controlled annealing of a bipyridine-containing Pd-Fe cyano-bridged polymer network, a catalytically active o-Pd3Fe@NC catalyst is obtained. The spatial confinement of Pd(II) and Fe(II) within the polymer network facilitates the controlled growth of the o-Pd3Fe nanostructure. This intermetallic catalyst exhibits bifunctional activity for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The o-Pd3Fe@NC catalyst achieves an ORR onset potential of 0.98 V and demonstrates remarkable long-term stability, sustaining performance over 30,000 cycles in alkaline electrolytes without noticeable degradation. The rechargeable liquid and flexible ZABs constructed with the o-Pd3Fe@NC air cathode deliver outstanding energy performance, achieving maximum power densities of 212.9 and 109 mW cm-2, respectively. The liquid ZAB delivers a specific capacity of 816 mAh gZn-1 and exhibits excellent charge-discharge cycling stability, maintaining a consistent charge-discharge voltage gap over 200 h. The flexible ZAB retains its charge-storage performance across all bending angles.

Intermetallic Nanocrystals for Fuel-Cells-Based Electrocatalysis

Electrocatalysis underpins the renewable electrochemical conversions for sustainability, which further replies on metallic nanocrystals as vital electrocatalysts. Intermetallic nanocrystals have been known to show distinct properties compared to their disordered counterparts, and been long explored for functional improvements. Tremendous progresses have been made in the past few years, with notable trend of more precise engineering down to an atomic level and the investigation transferring into more practical membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which motivates this timely review. After addressing the basic thermodynamic and kinetic fundamentals, we discuss classic and latest synthetic strategies that enable not only the formation of intermetallic phase but also the rational control of other catalysis-determinant structural parameters, such as size and morphology. We also demonstrate the emerging intermetallic nanomaterials for potentially further advancement in energy electrocatalysis. Then, we discuss the state-of-the-art characterizations and representative intermetallic electrocatalysts with emphasis on oxygen reduction reaction evaluated in a MEA setup. We summarize this review by laying out existing challenges and offering perspective on future research directions toward practicing intermetallic electrocatalysts for energy conversions.

Lattice Strained B-Doped Ni Nanoparticles for Efficient Electrochemical H2 O2 Synthesis

Surface strains are necessary to optimize the oxygen adsorption energy during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the four-electron process, but the surface strains regulation for ORR in the two-electron process to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) is rarely studied. Herein, it is reported that the tensile strained B-doped Ni nanoparticles on carbon support (Ni-B@BNC) could enhance the adsorption of O₂ , stabilize OO bond, and boost the electrocatalytic ORR to H₂ O₂ . Moreover, the Ni-B@BNC catalysts exhibit volcano-type activity for electrocatalytic ORR to H₂ O₂ as a function of the strain intensity, which is controlled by B content. Among them, Ni₄ -B₁ @BNC exhibits the highest H₂ O₂ selectivity of over 86%, H₂ O₂ yield of 128.5 mmol h^-1  g^-1 , and Faraday efficiency of 94.9% at 0.6 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode as well as durable stability after successive cycling, being one of the state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for two-electron ORR. The density functional theory calculations reveal that tensile strain introduced by doping B into Ni nanoparticles could decrease the state density of Ni-3d orbital and optimize the binding energy of OOH* during ORR. A new direction is provided here for the design of highly active and stable catalysts for potential H₂ O₂ production and beyond.

Tuning Two-Electron Oxygen-Reduction Pathways for H2 O2 Electrosynthesis via Engineering Atomically Dispersed Single Metal Site Catalysts

The hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) generation via the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under ambient conditions is emerging as an alternative and green strategy to the traditional energy-intensive anthraquinone process and unsafe direct synthesis using H₂ and O₂ . It enables on-site and decentralized H₂ O₂ production using air and renewable electricity for various applications. Currently, atomically dispersed single metal site catalysts have emerged as the most promising platinum group metal (PGM)-free electrocatalysts for the ORR. Further tuning their central metal sites, coordination environments, and local structures can be highly active and selective for H₂ O₂ production via the 2e^- ORR. Herein, recent methodologies and achievements on developing single metal site catalysts for selective O₂ to H₂ O₂ reduction are summarized. Combined with theoretical computation and advanced characterization, a structure-property correlation to guide rational catalyst design with a favorable 2e^- ORR process is aimed to provide. Due to the oxidative nature of H₂ O₂ and the derived free radicals, catalyst stability and effective solutions to improve catalyst tolerance to H₂ O₂ are emphasized. Transferring intrinsic catalyst properties to electrode performance for viable applications always remains a grand challenge. The key performance metrics and knowledge during the electrolyzer development are, therefore, highlighted.

Theoretical study of p-block metal–nitrogen–carbon single-atom catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

A ‘double-peak’ ORR volcano plot is found for the p-block metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts by considering both pristine and OH* self-modifying sites.

FePd nanowires modified with cyclodextrin as improved catalysts: effect of the alloy composition on colloidal stability and catalytic capacity

FePd nanowires of different compositions are thoroughly characterized and assessed as catalysts for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol.

Tailoring the Electrochemical Production of H2 O2 : Strategies for the Rational Design of High-Performance Electrocatalysts

The production of H₂ O₂ via the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) presents an attractive decentralized alternative to the current industry-dominant anthraquinone process. However, in order to achieve viable commercialization of this process, a state-of-the-art electrocatalyst exhibiting high activity, selectivity, and long-term stability is imperative for industrial applications. Herein, an in-depth discussion on the current frontiers in electrocatalyst design is provided, emphasizing the influences of electronic and geometric effects, surface structure, and the effects of heteroatom functionalization on the catalytic performance of commonly studied materials (metals, alloys, carbons). The limitations on the performance of the current catalyst materials are also discussed, together with alternative strategies to overcome the impediments. Finally, directions of future research efforts for the discovery of next-generation ORR electrocatalysts are highlighted.

Lattice-strained palladium nanoparticles as active catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

Compressive strain was successfully introduced into palladium nanoparticles by a novel pulsed laser ablation technology, leading to dramatic improvement of the catalytic performance in the oxygen reduction reaction.