journal article·2025-08Open access

Harnessing Work Function Modulation for Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis in Mesoporous Bimetallic Pt‐M Alloys: The Role of Mesopores in Work Function Optimization

Lei Fu, Yunqing Kang, Ho Ngoc Nam, Kaiteng Wang, Zilin Zhou, Yingji Zhao, Quan Manh Phung, Kai Wu, Yusuke Asakura, Jun Zhou, Yusuke Yamauchi

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 30

Abstract

Abstract Work function (WF) influences electron transport and intermediates adsorption, enabling charge balance and catalytic optimization for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the understanding of the role of mesopores and the relationship between composition and WF in pristine Pt‐based alloys remains lacking. Herein, various mesoporous binary Pt‐M alloy films (m‐Pt‐M, M = Pd, Rh, and Ru) with uniform pores and elemental distributions are synthesized, providing an experimental platform to investigate this relationship. It has been demonstrated that the WFs of m‐Pt‐M catalysts are strongly influenced by their compositions and mesoporous structures, thereby impacting HER activities. Among them, m‐Pt‐Ru with tailored WF lowers the thermodynamic energy barrier and accelerates the kinetic processes of HER. The mass activity of m‐Pt‐Ru in alkaline media is 17.8× and 5.1× higher, compared to Pt black and m‐Pt, respectively. This work not only provides a simple method for the fabrication of well‐defined binary metallic alloy films but also offers experimental insights into the rational design of highly efficient electrocatalysts with tunable WFs.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Catalysis and Hydrodesulfurization Studies · Fuel Cells and Related Materials

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

Affiliations

Center of Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China

Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya 464‐8603 Japan

Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Nagoya University Furo‐cho, Chikusa‐ku Nagoya 464‐8602 Japan

Institute of Transformative Bio‐Molecules (WPI‐ITbM) Nagoya University Furo‐cho, Chikusa‐ku Nagoya 464‐8601 Japan

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia

Department of Convergent Biotechnology & Advanced Materials Science Kyung Hee University 1732 Deogyeong‐daero, Giheung‐gu Yongin‐si Gyeonggi‐do 17104 South Korea

Funding

State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment · Australian Research Council · Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology · China Scholarship Council · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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