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Boosting oxygen reduction performances in Pd-based metallenes by co-confining interstitial H and p-block single atoms

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Qiu

    (Jilin University)

  • Mingzi Sun

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon)

  • Jiandong Wu

    (Jilin University
    The Third Bethune Hospital of Jilin University)

  • Chunxiao Chai

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Shengwei Wang

    (Jilin University)

  • Hong Huang

    (Jilin University)

  • Xiao Zhao

    (Jilin University)

  • Dongxu Jiao

    (Jilin University)

  • Shan Xu

    (Jilin University)

  • Dewen Wang

    (Jilin University)

  • Xin Ge

    (Jilin University)

  • Wei Zhang

    (Jilin University)

  • Weitao Zheng

    (Jilin University)

  • Yujiang Song

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Jinchang Fan

    (Jilin University)

  • Bolong Huang

    (City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon)

  • Xiaoqiang Cui

    (Jilin University)

Abstract

The efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is limited by the scaling relationship in the conventional oxygen associative pathway. To break such limitations, we present an approach to effectively activate the oxygen dissociative pathway through co-confining single p-block (In, Sn, Pb) atoms and interstitial H atoms within Pd metallenes, leading to good ORR performance. PdPbHx metallenes exhibit a high mass activity of 1.36 A mg−1 at 0.95 V (vs. RHE), which is 46.9 times higher than that of the benchmark Pt/C. The minimal performance decay after 50,000 potential cycles confirms a good stability. In situ vibrational spectroscopy investigations and theoretical calculations highlight that interstitial H atoms facilitate the direct dissociation of O2 while single Pb atoms enhance O2 adsorption strength. The electroactive PdPbHx metallenes is attributed to the up-shifted Pd-4d orbitals induced by H and Pb atoms. This research supplies critical inspiration for developing highly efficient ORR electrocatalysts.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Qiu & Mingzi Sun & Jiandong Wu & Chunxiao Chai & Shengwei Wang & Hong Huang & Xiao Zhao & Dongxu Jiao & Shan Xu & Dewen Wang & Xin Ge & Wei Zhang & Weitao Zheng & Yujiang Song & Jinchang Fan & Bolo, 2025. "Boosting oxygen reduction performances in Pd-based metallenes by co-confining interstitial H and p-block single atoms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60400-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60400-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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