Vacancy‐Driven Ni Exsolution in Prussian Blue Analogues Creates Cooperative Defect–Metal Sites for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution

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Authors: S R Wang, Haixian Yan, Hugo L. S. Santos, Md Mofakkharulhashan, Wenyi Huo, Pedro H. C. Camargo
Cited by: 1
References: 37

Abstract

ABSTRACT Alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is limited by slow water dissociation and by catalysts that degrade in saline electrolytes. Here we program vacancies to trigger selective Ni exsolution in multimetallic Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), creating cooperative defect–metal interfaces. Low‐temperature annealing of FeMn@CoNi PBAs forms hollow nanocages (PBA‐350) rich in cyanide vacancies and decorated with in situ exsolved Ni nanoparticles. Operando XRD/XAS, operando impedance, and theory reveal a dual‐site mechanism: vacancy‐stabilized Ni lowers the Volmer barrier, adjacent Co facilitates OH* removal, and the vacancy‐modified lattice tunes H* binding toward thermoneutrality. PBA‐350 delivers 28.4 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and a 56 mV dec −1 Tafel slope in 1.0 m KOH with negligible degradation over 100 h at −50 mA cm −2 . An anion‐exchange membrane electrolyzer reaches 1.76 V at 1.0 A cm −2 , and PBA‐350 remains stable in simulated seawater (1.0 m KOH + 0.5 m NaCl) by physically repelling chloride ions via hydration layers, establishing vacancy‐assisted exsolution as a design rule for HER.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction Metalloenzymes and iron-sulfur proteins

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
53
Pages
e76307–e76307
Publication date
3 July 2026
Language
EN