Advanced cobalt-based catalysts boost efficiency in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and cut costs (IMAGE)
Caption
The key to the superior performance of the Co@BaAl₂O₄₋ₓ catalyst lies in the dynamic evolution of lattice strain at the core@shell interface (Figure 2). Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy reveal that the cobalt lattice is expanded at the interface, corresponding to a tensile strain of approximately +3.2%. This strain modulates the electronic structure of cobalt, as evidenced by X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy, which show a higher valence state and a positive shift in the d-band centre. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the strained Co surface exhibits an upward shift in the d-band centre, enhancing its affinity for NH3 and facilitating the rate-determining N–H bond dissociation step.
Credit
© 2025 Research and Innovation Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. All Rights Reserved.
Usage Restrictions
nil
License
Original content