Lattice Strain and Charge Redistribution of Pt Cluster/Ir Metallene Heterostructure for Ethylene Glycol to Glycolic Acid Conversion Coupled with Hydrogen Production

Abstract

AbstractUpgrading overall water splitting (OWS) system and developing high‐performance electrocatalysts is an attractive way to the improve efficiency and reduce the consumption of hydrogen (H2) production from electrolyzed water. Here, a Pt cluster/Ir metallene heterojunction structure (Pt/Ir hetero‐metallene) with a unique Pt/Ir interface is reported for the conversion of ethylene glycol (EG) to glycolic acid (GA) coupled with H2 production. With the assistance of ethylene glycol oxidation (EGOR), the Pt/Ir||Pt/Ir hetero‐metallene two‐electrode water electrolysis system exhibits a lower cell voltage of 0.36 V at 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the Faradaic efficiency of EG to GA is as high as 87%. The excellent performance of this new heterostructure arise from the charge redistribution and strain effects induced by Pt–Ir interactions between the heterogeneous interfaces, as well as the larger specific surface area and more active sites due to the metallene structure.