Bao Yu Xia

Development of efficient and robust electrocatalysts is critical for practical fuel cells. We report one-dimensional bunched platinum-nickel (Pt-Ni) alloy nanocages with a Pt-skin structure for the oxygen reduction reaction that display high mass activity (3.52 amperes per milligram platinum) and specific activity (5.16 milliamperes per square centimeter platinum), or nearly 17 and 14 times higher as compared with a commercial platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst. The catalyst exhibits high stabil

Zn-air batteries are becoming the promising power sources for portable and wearable electronic devices and hybrid/electric vehicles because of their high specific energy density and the low cost for next-generation green and sustainable energy technologies. An air electrode integrated with an oxygen electrocatalyst is the most important component and inevitably determines the performance and cost of a Zn-air battery. This article presents exciting advances and challenges related to air electrode

Noble metals such as platinum (Pt) are widely used as catalysts in fuel cells and other heterogeneous catalytic processes. However, there is an urgent need to develop substitutes for pure Pt catalysts to reduce the overall use of precious Pt and at the same time to enhance poisoning resistance. A promising strategy is to design Pt based bi- or trimetallic nanostructures because their unique structures and compositions would enhance their catalytic performance. In this study, we report the synthe

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are an attractive technology for renewable energy conversion and storage. By using green electricity generated from renewable sources like wind or solar, high-purity hydrogen gas can be produced in PEMWE systems, which can be used in fuel cells and other industrial sectors. To date, significant advances have been achieved in improving the efficiency of PEMWEs through the design of stack components; however, challenges remain for their large-s

Three-dimensional (3D) Pt-based alloy nanostructures composed of one-dimensional (1D) nanowires/nanorods have recently attracted significant interest as electrocatalysts. In this work, we report an effective solvothermal method for the direct preparation of 3D Pt-Co nanowire assemblies (NWAs) with tunable composition. The composition- and structure-dependent electrocatalytic performance is thoroughly investigated. Because of the bimetallic synergetic effect and unique structural advantage, the a

ConspectusFuel cells are among the cutting-edge energy technologies. Their commercial development is still hindered by noble platinum (Pt) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode, which not only determine the energy conversion efficiency and service life but also are closely related to the cost and broad application of fuel cells. Given the bright and enormous future of fuel cells, ORR catalysts should possess highly efficient performance yet meet the acceptable Pt costs

Ultrathin one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures such as nanowires and nanorods have drawn considerable attention due to their promising applications in various fields. Despite the numerous reports on 1D nanostructures of noble metals, one-pot solution synthesis of Pt 1D nanostructures still remains a great challenge, probably because of the intrinsic isotropic crystal growth behavior of Pt. Herein, we demonstrate the facile solvothermal synthesis of nanowire assemblies composed of ultrathin (ca. 3

Abstract Fuel cells are an incredibly powerful renewable energy technology, but their broad applications remains lagging because of the high cost and poor reliability of cathodic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This review focuses on the recent progress of ORR electrocatalysts in fuel cells. More importantly, it highlights the fundamental problems associated with the insufficient activity translation from rotating disk electrode to membrane electrode assembly in the fue

Water electrolysis is a promising source of hydrogen; however, technological challenges remain. Intensive efforts have focused on developing highly efficient and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for water splitting. An effective strategy is proposed, using a bifunctional tubular cobalt perselenide nanosheet electrode, in which the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction is substituted with anodic hydrazine oxidation so as to assist energy-efficient hydrogen production. Specifically, this electrode pro

Atomically ultrathin rhodium nanosheets obtained by the cyanogel reduction method demonstrate an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the nitrogen reduction reaction.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) conversion is promising in alleviating the excessive CO₂ level and simultaneously producing valuables. This work reports the preparation of carbon nanorods encapsulated bismuth oxides for the efficient CO₂ electroconversion toward formate production. This resultant catalyst exhibits a small onset potential of -0.28 V vs. RHE and partial current density of over 200 mA cm^-2 with a stable and high Faradaic efficiency of 93 % for form

Abstract Cost‐effective and efficient oxygen‐evolving electrocatalysts are urgently required for energy storage and conversion technologies. In this work, an amorphous trimetallic boride nanocatalyst (Fe–Co–2.3Ni–B) prepared by a simple approach is reported as a highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst. It exhibits an overpotential (η) of 274 mV to deliver a geometric current density ( j geo ) of 10 mA cm −2 , a small Tafel slope of 38 mV dec −1 , and excellent long‐term durabi

Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high-value chemical products has become a dramatic research area because of the efficient exploitation of carbon resources and simultaneous reduction of atmospheric CO2 concentration. Herein, we report the bismuth-based catalyst in the efficient electroconversion of CO2 for the formation of formate with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 91% and partial current density of ∼8 mA cm–2 at −0.9 V vs RHE. Experimental and theoretical results show