Wu Tong, Dhaka Kapil, Luo Mengjia, Wang Bingqing, Wang Meng, Xi Shibo, Zhang Mingsheng, Huang Fuqiang, Exner Kai S, Lum Yanwei
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Republic of Singapore.
Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117580, Republic of Singapore.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2025 Feb 3;64(6):e202418691. doi: 10.1002/anie.202418691. Epub 2024 Dec 4.
Ammonia has attracted considerable interest as a hydrogen carrier that can help decarbonize global energy networks. Key to realizing this is the development of low temperature ammonia fuel cells for the on-demand generation of electricity. However, the efficiency of such systems is significantly impaired by the sluggish ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we report the design of a bifunctional AgPtTiS electrocatalyst that facilitates both reactions at mass activities exceeding that of commercial Pt/C. Through comprehensive density functional theory calculations, we identify that active site motifs composed of Pt and Ti atoms work cooperatively to catalyze ORR and AOR. Notably, in situ shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) experiments indicate a decreased propensity for *NO formation and hence an increased resistance toward catalyst poisoning for AOR. Employing AgPtTiS as both the cathode and anode, we constructed a low temperature ammonia fuel cell with a high peak power density of 8.71 mW cm and low Pt loading of 0.45 mg cm. Our findings demonstrate a pathway towards the rational design of effective electrocatalysts with multi-element active sites that work cooperatively.
氨作为一种有助于全球能源网络脱碳的氢载体,已引起了广泛关注。实现这一目标的关键在于开发用于按需发电的低温氨燃料电池。然而,此类系统的效率因缓慢的氨氧化反应(AOR)和氧还原反应(ORR)而显著受损。在此,我们报告了一种双功能AgPtTiS电催化剂的设计,该催化剂在质量活性超过商业Pt/C的情况下促进这两种反应。通过全面的密度泛函理论计算,我们确定由Pt和Ti原子组成的活性位点基序协同催化ORR和AOR。值得注意的是,原位壳层隔离纳米粒子增强拉曼光谱(SHINERS)实验表明*NO形成的倾向降低,因此对AOR的催化剂中毒抗性增强。采用AgPtTiS作为阴极和阳极,我们构建了一种低温氨燃料电池,其具有8.71 mW cm的高峰值功率密度和0.45 mg cm的低Pt负载量。我们的研究结果展示了一条合理设计具有协同作用的多元素活性位点有效电催化剂的途径。