Bridging Acidic and Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis via Ru‐Modified Pt <sub>3</sub> Co for Waste‐to‐Energy Electrochemical Neutralization Fuel Cells

The hydrogen oxidation (HOR) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions define the core of hydrogen electrochemistry, yet demand distinct control over hydroxyl binding and interfacial water structuring. Here, we engineer a ruthenium single-atom anchored Pt<sub>3</sub>Co intermetallic on nitrogen-doped carbon (O-Pt<sub>3</sub>Co-RuNC) to bridge this divide. The catalyst delivers a mass activity 4.1 times higher than Pt/C for alkaline HOR with only 9.3% CO-induced loss, while simultaneously exhibiting remarkable activity for acidic HER, thus establishing a rare cross-environment bifunctional platform. Leveraging this property, we design an electrochemical neutralization energy fuel cell (ENFC) that converts acid-base neutralization energy directly into electricity. Using O-Pt<sub>3</sub>Co-RuNC as both anode and cathode catalyst, the ENFC achieves a peak power density of 75.0 mW cm<sup>-</sup> <sup>2</sup> and stable operation beyond 400 h while simultaneously neutralizing waste acid and alkali. Operando spectroscopy and theoretical analyses reveal that Ru atoms electronically reprogram adjacent Co sites, strengthening hydrogen bonding in interfacial water and accelerating proton-coupled electron transfer. This study offers a blueprint for constructing hydrogen electrocatalysts and hybrid fuel cells that harmonize activity, durability, and sustainable resource utilization.

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Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2025-12-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202520173
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
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article

Bridging Acidic and Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis via Ru‐Modified Pt 3 Co for Waste‐to‐Energy Electrochemical Neutralization Fuel Cells

Huibing Wang, Songheng Xie, Yiran Lin, Junheng Huang et al.
Advanced Materials
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
article

Bridging Acidic and Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis via Ru‐Modified Pt 3 Co for Waste‐to‐Energy Electrochemical Neutralization Fuel Cells

Huibing Wang, Songheng Xie, Yiran Lin, Junheng Huang, Junxiang Chen, Biyu Kang, Zhenhai Wen, Z. H. Lu, Kai Chen
article en

Abstract

The hydrogen oxidation (HOR) and hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions define the core of hydrogen electrochemistry, yet demand distinct control over hydroxyl binding and interfacial water structuring. Here, we engineer a ruthenium single-atom anchored Pt<sub>3</sub>Co intermetallic on nitrogen-doped carbon (O-Pt<sub>3</sub>Co-RuNC) to bridge this divide. The catalyst delivers a mass activity 4.1 times higher than Pt/C for alkaline HOR with only 9.3% CO-induced loss, while simultaneously exhibiting remarkable activity for acidic HER, thus establishing a rare cross-environment bifunctional platform. Leveraging this property, we design an electrochemical neutralization energy fuel cell (ENFC) that converts acid-base neutralization energy directly into electricity. Using O-Pt<sub>3</sub>Co-RuNC as both anode and cathode catalyst, the ENFC achieves a peak power density of 75.0 mW cm<sup>-</sup> <sup>2</sup> and stable operation beyond 400 h while simultaneously neutralizing waste acid and alkali. Operando spectroscopy and theoretical analyses reveal that Ru atoms electronically reprogram adjacent Co sites, strengthening hydrogen bonding in interfacial water and accelerating proton-coupled electron transfer. This study offers a blueprint for constructing hydrogen electrocatalysts and hybrid fuel cells that harmonize activity, durability, and sustainable resource utilization.

Advanced MaterialsVol. 38(10)
Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN), Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Fuzhou University (CN)
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 53%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
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