Curvature-engineered interfacial hydrogen-bond networks driving proton-coupled electron transfer boosts hydrogen oxidation in alkaline fuel cells.

ABSTRACT: Precise manipulation of interfacial microenvironments within the electrical double layer remains a fundamental challenge, primarily due to dynamic structural rearrangements and competitive adsorption processes during reactions. Here, we employ nanoscale curvature engineering to construct three RuIr-based electrocatalysts with precisely controlled surface curvatures, establishing a direct correlation between geometric effects and hydrogen oxidation reaction efficiency. Finite-element simulations coupled with electrochemical analysis reveal that concave nanocage (CNC) morphology enhances localized electric field, simultaneously weakening adsorbed hydrogen (H_ads) binding and promoting its subsequent cooperative oxidation with more OH_ads. Operando spectroscopy and ab init

SUBMITTER: Li L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12749165 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature