One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction

The industrial application of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is limited by the high cost of platinum catalysts. In this study, we developed a one−step synthesis strategy for low−platinum alloy catalysts based on crystal−structure predictions. Using this method, we successfully prepared a lo...

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Main Authors: Dengjie Yan, Lingxin Kong, Baoqiang Xu, Bin Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/23/5634
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author Dengjie Yan
Lingxin Kong
Baoqiang Xu
Bin Yang
author_facet Dengjie Yan
Lingxin Kong
Baoqiang Xu
Bin Yang
author_sort Dengjie Yan
collection DOAJ
description The industrial application of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is limited by the high cost of platinum catalysts. In this study, we developed a one−step synthesis strategy for low−platinum alloy catalysts based on crystal−structure predictions. Using this method, we successfully prepared a low−platinum alloy catalyst, i.e., CaPt<sub>2</sub>, which exhibits the same structure as its theoretically predicted counterpart in a single step via arc melting. There was no hazardous waste emission during the preparation of the alloy catalyst. Electrons were successfully enriched on the surfaces of platinum atoms, and the electronic structures of the platinum atoms were adjusted. The migration of oxygen intermediates during oxygen reduction was determined via an extensive oxygen−intermediate adsorption site test. The reaction path for the oxygen reduction process was determined. Electronic−structure analysis revealed the interaction mechanism between the oxygen intermediate and the platinum atom on the catalyst surface. The incorporation of calcium atoms into the alloy catalyst effectively improved the adsorption/dissociation state of the oxygen intermediates on the catalyst surface. Meanwhile, the molar fraction of platinum atoms in the CaPt<sub>2</sub> alloy catalyst reduced by 33%, thus decreasing the feedstock cost of the catalyst. The double reduction in raw materials and manufacturing costs is conducive to the popularization and application of alloy catalysts. This study provides a reference for the design and production of other functional catalysts.
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spelling doaj-art-66d4b727a57f42ec8a0e8d86b53298392025-08-20T02:50:38ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-11-012923563410.3390/molecules29235634One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure PredictionDengjie Yan0Lingxin Kong1Baoqiang Xu2Bin Yang3Key Laboratory for Nonferrous Vacuum Metallurgy of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaKey Laboratory for Nonferrous Vacuum Metallurgy of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaKey Laboratory for Nonferrous Vacuum Metallurgy of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaKey Laboratory for Nonferrous Vacuum Metallurgy of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaThe industrial application of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is limited by the high cost of platinum catalysts. In this study, we developed a one−step synthesis strategy for low−platinum alloy catalysts based on crystal−structure predictions. Using this method, we successfully prepared a low−platinum alloy catalyst, i.e., CaPt<sub>2</sub>, which exhibits the same structure as its theoretically predicted counterpart in a single step via arc melting. There was no hazardous waste emission during the preparation of the alloy catalyst. Electrons were successfully enriched on the surfaces of platinum atoms, and the electronic structures of the platinum atoms were adjusted. The migration of oxygen intermediates during oxygen reduction was determined via an extensive oxygen−intermediate adsorption site test. The reaction path for the oxygen reduction process was determined. Electronic−structure analysis revealed the interaction mechanism between the oxygen intermediate and the platinum atom on the catalyst surface. The incorporation of calcium atoms into the alloy catalyst effectively improved the adsorption/dissociation state of the oxygen intermediates on the catalyst surface. Meanwhile, the molar fraction of platinum atoms in the CaPt<sub>2</sub> alloy catalyst reduced by 33%, thus decreasing the feedstock cost of the catalyst. The double reduction in raw materials and manufacturing costs is conducive to the popularization and application of alloy catalysts. This study provides a reference for the design and production of other functional catalysts.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/23/5634crystal−structure predictionoxygen−reduction reactionalloy catalystactive siteone−step preparation
spellingShingle Dengjie Yan
Lingxin Kong
Baoqiang Xu
Bin Yang
One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction
Molecules
crystal−structure prediction
oxygen−reduction reaction
alloy catalyst
active site
one−step preparation
title One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction
title_full One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction
title_fullStr One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction
title_full_unstemmed One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction
title_short One−Step Synthesis Strategy for a Platinum−Based Alloy Catalyst Designed via Crystal−Structure Prediction
title_sort one step synthesis strategy for a platinum based alloy catalyst designed via crystal structure prediction
topic crystal−structure prediction
oxygen−reduction reaction
alloy catalyst
active site
one−step preparation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/23/5634
work_keys_str_mv AT dengjieyan onestepsynthesisstrategyforaplatinumbasedalloycatalystdesignedviacrystalstructureprediction
AT lingxinkong onestepsynthesisstrategyforaplatinumbasedalloycatalystdesignedviacrystalstructureprediction
AT baoqiangxu onestepsynthesisstrategyforaplatinumbasedalloycatalystdesignedviacrystalstructureprediction
AT binyang onestepsynthesisstrategyforaplatinumbasedalloycatalystdesignedviacrystalstructureprediction