journal article·2025-11Open access

Harnessing Effective Electric Field Amplification and Intermetallic Hybridization via Nanoelectrode Superlattices to Boost Electrocatalytic Green Hydrogen Production

Siew Kheng Boong, Carice Chong, Tharishinny Raja Mogan, Jinn‐Kye Lee, Yimeng Ni, Hongjian Yu, Xiangming Li, Hiang Kwee Lee

Small· Volume 21· Issue 46

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) offers a sustainable pathway for green hydrogen production, addressing growing energy demands while reducing fossil fuel dependence. However, existing electrocatalysts face challenges, including low current densities, excessive Pt reliance, and inefficient charge transfer. Here, ampere‐level HER catalysis is achieved by introducing 2D nanoelectrode superlattices that boost electrocatalytic efficiency through two key concepts: i) Electric field amplification, where Ag nanoparticles serve as nanoelectrodes and their interparticle interactions within the superlattice are leveraged to concentrate local electric fields for facilitating charge accumulation and transfer. ii) Intermetallic Pt‐Ag hybridization, which modulates electronic structure and electron distribution to enhance intrinsic catalytic activity. Notably, Ag hexagonal@Pt achieves the highest performance, delivering −15.88 A cm −2 at −0.9 V vs RHE with 98% Faradaic efficiency and outperforming Ag standing@Pt and Ag disorganized@Pt by up to 8 fold. Moreover, it surpasses Pt/C by ≈934 fold and exhibits ≈4 fold reduction in overpotential at high current densities of ≥500 mA cm −2 compared to other emerging electrocatalysts. Mechanistic studies reveal that optimizing spatial nanoelectrode arrangement is crucial for enhancing HER activity through synergistic electric field concentration and intermetallic hybridization. This work offers critical insights into advancing electrocatalysis for green hydrogen production and broader energy, chemical, and environmental applications.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Electrochemical Analysis and Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry School of Chemistry Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link Singapore 637371 Singapore

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Yangzhou University Yangzhou 225002 China

School of Materials Sciences and Technology Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology Maoming 525000 China

Institute of Materials Research and Engineering The Agency for Science Technology and Research (A∗STAR) 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08‐03, Innovis Singapore 138634 Singapore

Centre for Hydrogen Innovations National University of Singapore E8, 1 Engineering drive 3 Singapore 117580 Singapore

Funding

Nanyang Technological University · Agency for Science, Technology and Research · Ministry of Education - Singapore

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