Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison
Magnetic 2D materials offer a compelling platform for next-generation electrocatalysis by enabling spin-dependent reaction pathways. Among them, layered ferromagnets such as Fe<sub>3</sub>GeTe<sub>2</sub> (FGT) have garnered attention for combining intrinsic ferromagnetism wi...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/15/1210 |
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| author | Om Prakash Gujela Sivasakthi Kuppusamy Yu-Xiang Chen Chang-Chi Kao Jian-Jhang Lee Bhartendu Papnai Ya-Ping Hsieh Raman Sankar Mario Hofmann |
| author_facet | Om Prakash Gujela Sivasakthi Kuppusamy Yu-Xiang Chen Chang-Chi Kao Jian-Jhang Lee Bhartendu Papnai Ya-Ping Hsieh Raman Sankar Mario Hofmann |
| author_sort | Om Prakash Gujela |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Magnetic 2D materials offer a compelling platform for next-generation electrocatalysis by enabling spin-dependent reaction pathways. Among them, layered ferromagnets such as Fe<sub>3</sub>GeTe<sub>2</sub> (FGT) have garnered attention for combining intrinsic ferromagnetism with high predicted oxygen evolution activity. However, the stability of non-oxide ferromagnets in electrochemical environments remains an unresolved challenge, limiting their envisioned applications. In this study, we introduce a structural homolog approach to investigate the origin of FGT’s catalytic behavior and the mechanisms underlying its degradation. By comparing FGT with its isostructural analog Fe<sub>3</sub>GaTe<sub>2</sub> (FGaT), we demonstrate that the electrochemical activity of FGT arises primarily from Fe orbitals and is largely insensitive to changes in sublayer composition. Although both materials exhibit similar basal-plane hydrogen evolution performance, FGaT demonstrates significantly lower long-term stability. Density functional theory calculations reveal that this instability arises from weaker Te bonding introduced by Ga substitution. These findings establish structural homologs as a powerful strategy for decoupling catalytic activity from electrochemical deterioration and for guiding the rational design of stable magnetic electrocatalysts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d01f85f95b44c988f364d55435bd7c6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d01f85f95b44c988f364d55435bd7c62025-08-20T03:02:56ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-08-011515121010.3390/nano15151210Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog ComparisonOm Prakash Gujela0Sivasakthi Kuppusamy1Yu-Xiang Chen2Chang-Chi Kao3Jian-Jhang Lee4Bhartendu Papnai5Ya-Ping Hsieh6Raman Sankar7Mario Hofmann8Graduate Institute of Applied Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, TaiwanInstitute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, TaiwanInstitute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, TaiwanDepartment of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106319, TaiwanInstitute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, TaiwanDepartment of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, TaiwanInstitute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, TaiwanInstitute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, TaiwanDepartment of Physics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106319, TaiwanMagnetic 2D materials offer a compelling platform for next-generation electrocatalysis by enabling spin-dependent reaction pathways. Among them, layered ferromagnets such as Fe<sub>3</sub>GeTe<sub>2</sub> (FGT) have garnered attention for combining intrinsic ferromagnetism with high predicted oxygen evolution activity. However, the stability of non-oxide ferromagnets in electrochemical environments remains an unresolved challenge, limiting their envisioned applications. In this study, we introduce a structural homolog approach to investigate the origin of FGT’s catalytic behavior and the mechanisms underlying its degradation. By comparing FGT with its isostructural analog Fe<sub>3</sub>GaTe<sub>2</sub> (FGaT), we demonstrate that the electrochemical activity of FGT arises primarily from Fe orbitals and is largely insensitive to changes in sublayer composition. Although both materials exhibit similar basal-plane hydrogen evolution performance, FGaT demonstrates significantly lower long-term stability. Density functional theory calculations reveal that this instability arises from weaker Te bonding introduced by Ga substitution. These findings establish structural homologs as a powerful strategy for decoupling catalytic activity from electrochemical deterioration and for guiding the rational design of stable magnetic electrocatalysts.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/15/1210electrocatalysishydrogen evolution reactionsingle-crystal growthferromagnetic layered materialscyclic voltammetry |
| spellingShingle | Om Prakash Gujela Sivasakthi Kuppusamy Yu-Xiang Chen Chang-Chi Kao Jian-Jhang Lee Bhartendu Papnai Ya-Ping Hsieh Raman Sankar Mario Hofmann Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison Nanomaterials electrocatalysis hydrogen evolution reaction single-crystal growth ferromagnetic layered materials cyclic voltammetry |
| title | Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison |
| title_full | Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison |
| title_fullStr | Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison |
| title_short | Uncovering Stability Origins in Layered Ferromagnetic Electrocatalysts Through Homolog Comparison |
| title_sort | uncovering stability origins in layered ferromagnetic electrocatalysts through homolog comparison |
| topic | electrocatalysis hydrogen evolution reaction single-crystal growth ferromagnetic layered materials cyclic voltammetry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/15/1210 |
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