Synergetic catalysis between rare earth-doped g-C3N4 and Pt toward enhanced hydrogen oxidation

Chen, Y; Yuan, M; Yang, Y; Liu, X; Lin, L; Liang, Z; Gao, R; Tao, Z; Wang, P; Guo, H; Liu, Y; Zheng, X

Synergetic catalysis between rare earth-doped g-C3N4 and Pt toward enhanced hydrogen oxidation

Chen, Y Yuan, M Yang, Y Liu, X Lin, L Liang, Z Gao, R Tao, Z Wang, P Guo, H Liu, Y Zheng, X

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Publisher:: TSINGHUA UNIV PRESS
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Nano Research, 2025, 18, (5)
Issue Date:: 2025-05-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Chen, Y
dc.contributor.author	Yuan, M
dc.contributor.author	Yang, Y
dc.contributor.author	Liu, X
dc.contributor.author	Lin, L
dc.contributor.author	Liang, Z
dc.contributor.author	Gao, R
dc.contributor.author	Tao, Z
dc.contributor.author	Wang, P
dc.contributor.author	Guo, H
dc.contributor.author	Liu, Y
dc.contributor.author	Zheng, X https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9611-1546
dc.date.accessioned	2026-02-19T04:05:51Z
dc.date.available	2026-02-19T04:05:51Z
dc.date.issued	2025-05-01
dc.identifier.citation	Nano Research, 2025, 18, (5)
dc.identifier.issn	1998-0124
dc.identifier.issn	1998-0000
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193636
dc.description.abstract	The tradeoff between hydrogen adsorption binding energy (HBE) and hydroxyl adsorption binding energy (OHBE) critically impacts the sluggish kinetics of hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR), which significantly impedes the development of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Herein, we introduce a novel synergistic catalysis system composed of single rare earth atoms (such as Tb, Ho, Gd, and Er) doped into graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) supported on Pt nanoparticles (GCN-RE-Pt) to balance the tradeoff between HBE and OHBE, thereby enhancing HOR kinetics. In this system, the single rare earth atoms could promote the adsorption of hydroxyl species (OH<inf>ad</inf>), facilitating hydrogen oxidation and water generation, and induce a surface charge redistribution in GCN, which modulates the electronic structure of the Pt active centers and optimizes the binding energy of adsorbed hydrogen (H<inf>ad</inf>). As a proof of concept, the optimal GCN-Tb-Pt electrocatalyst achieved a kinetic current density of 12.67 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup> at an overpotential of 50 mV, which is markedly higher than that of GCN-Pt (6.49 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup>) and commercial Pt/C (7.28 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup>). This work opens new avenues for the rational design of highly efficient alkaline HOR catalysts through single rare earth atoms modulating synergistic catalysis.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	TSINGHUA UNIV PRESS
dc.relation.ispartof	Nano Research
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.26599/NR.2025.94907349
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
dc.title	Synergetic catalysis between rare earth-doped g-C3N4 and Pt toward enhanced hydrogen oxidation
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	18
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Clean Energy Technology (CCET)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Clean Energy Technology (CCET)/Centre for Clean Energy Technology (CCET) Associate Members
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-02-19T04:05:49Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	18
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

The tradeoff between hydrogen adsorption binding energy (HBE) and hydroxyl adsorption binding energy (OHBE) critically impacts the sluggish kinetics of hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR), which significantly impedes the development of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Herein, we introduce a novel synergistic catalysis system composed of single rare earth atoms (such as Tb, Ho, Gd, and Er) doped into graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) supported on Pt nanoparticles (GCN-RE-Pt) to balance the tradeoff between HBE and OHBE, thereby enhancing HOR kinetics. In this system, the single rare earth atoms could promote the adsorption of hydroxyl species (OHad), facilitating hydrogen oxidation and water generation, and induce a surface charge redistribution in GCN, which modulates the electronic structure of the Pt active centers and optimizes the binding energy of adsorbed hydrogen (Had). As a proof of concept, the optimal GCN-Tb-Pt electrocatalyst achieved a kinetic current density of 12.67 mA·cm⁻² at an overpotential of 50 mV, which is markedly higher than that of GCN-Pt (6.49 mA·cm⁻²) and commercial Pt/C (7.28 mA·cm⁻²). This work opens new avenues for the rational design of highly efficient alkaline HOR catalysts through single rare earth atoms modulating synergistic catalysis.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193636