Volume 64, Issue 24 e202503613
Research Article

A Powerful Regulator to Enhance Electrocatalytic Reaction Kinetics and Thermodynamics: The Ordered Hetero-Nanowire

Tian Liu

Tian Liu

Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

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Zhen He

Zhen He

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China

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Jin-Long Wang

Jin-Long Wang

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China

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Si-Zhe Sheng

Si-Zhe Sheng

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China

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Zhi-Yu Xian

Zhi-Yu Xian

Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

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Jian-Wei Liu

Corresponding Author

Jian-Wei Liu

Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Shu-Hong Yu

Corresponding Author

Shu-Hong Yu

Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026 China

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 07 April 2025

Graphical Abstract

A novel ordered hetero-nanowire (NW) regulator is presented, which simultaneously couples the merits of the kinetics and thermodynamics in electrocatalysis. The periodical arrangement enables the formation of the local electric field to improve mass transfer kinetics, accounting for a significant boost in MOR performance. In addition, the hetero-NWs undergo the energetically favorable non-CO pathway, which is not susceptible to the invasion of toxic carbonaceous intermediates and thus ensures long-term durability for MOR.

Abstract

Optimizing the thermodynamics of electrode reactions is a valid strategy for achieving superior electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). However, as the catalyst downsizes to the nanoscale, the influence of mass transfer kinetics is pronounced in improving electrocatalytic activity. Herein, an ordered hetero-nanowire (NW) regulator that couples the virtues of kinetics and thermodynamics is reported. Finite element analysis demonstrates that the periodic arrangement of hetero-NWs could construct a uniform electric field, promoting the precise mass transfer of reactant molecules and accelerating the electrode reaction kinetics for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). In addition, the microscopic electronic structure effect of the well-defined catalyst weakens the bonding interaction toward toxic carbonaceous intermediates, which meanwhile strengthens the adsorption of hydroxyl species, critically contributing to enhanced MOR durability. The wide generality of this regulator has been confirmed by a series of as-prepared ordered hetero-NW catalysts, which show prominent electrocatalytic performance, including relatively high mass activity, superior CO resistance, and long-term stability. Therefore, this work reveals the importance of the tandem effect of kinetics and thermodynamics in electrocatalysis, which provides valuable insights for developing customized and highly efficient catalysts for extensive applications.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.

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