Sustaining Methanol‐Oxidation and Hydrogen Evolution at Low Voltage by Applying Periodic Polarity Reversal on a Symmetric Pt‐Based Electrode Pair

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Authors: Botao Zhu, Jie Xiong, Shuo Wu, Bin Sun, Jie Li, Yiding Zhang, Hui Lin, Zhenduo Wu, Lai Feng
Cited by: 2
References: 47

Abstract

ABSTRACT It has been established that Pt‐based electrocatalysts can enable the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) to produce value‐added formate at ultralow potentials. However, their sustainability is severely limited due to acute CO poisoning, particularly at high current densities. To address this challenge, we develop Pt@NiM‐LDH electrocatalysts (M = Co, Mn, Cu, Fe) by anchoring Pt sites onto NiM layered double hydroxide (LDH) support via Pt─O─Ni bonding, which mitigates CO poisoning. Critically, it is found that applying periodic current polarity reversal to a symmetric Pt@NiCo‐LDH‖Pt@NiCo‐LDH electrode pair drastically attenuates CO‐poisoning. This system thereby enables concurrent productions of hydrogen and formate for at least 120 h at an industrial‐level current density (300 mA cm −2 ) and a low cell voltage of 1.02 V, yielding a combined Faradaic efficiency of nearly 200%. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the NiCo‐LDH support electronically modulates the Pt sites, suppressing both CO formation and adsorption. Furthermore, it is verified that the polarity reversal strategy weakens CO adsorption strength by inducing structural reconstruction of the electrical double layer (EDL). These synergistic mechanisms significantly enhance the sustainability of Pt‐based electrodes for coupled MOR‖HER electrolysis. This work thus provides a promising strategy for designing highly efficient and CO‐tolerant Pt‐based electrocatalytic systems.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Catalytic Processes in Materials Science CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Publication details

Journal / source
Angewandte Chemie
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
138
Issue
11
Publication date
4 February 2026
Language
EN