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Single‐Shell Carbon‐Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles: Synthesis and High Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction |
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| Authors: | Mohammad Tavakkoli Dr. Tanja Kallio Olivier Reynaud Prof. Albert G. Nasibulin Dr. Christoffer Johans Dr. Jani Sainio Dr. Hua Jiang Prof. Esko I. Kauppinen Prof. Kari Laasonen |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, FI‐00076 Aalto (Finland);2. Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15100, FI 00076 Aalto (Finland);3. Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 100 Novaya st., Skolkovo, 143025 (Russia);4. COMP Centre of Excellence in Computational Nanoscience, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11100, FI‐00076 Aalto (Finland) |
| Abstract: | Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through effective and inexpensive electrocatalysts is a valuable approach for clean and renewable energy systems. Here, single‐shell carbon‐encapsulated iron nanoparticles (SCEINs) decorated on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are introduced as a novel highly active and durable non‐noble‐metal catalyst for the HER. This catalyst exhibits catalytic properties superior to previously studied nonprecious materials and comparable to those of platinum. The SCEIN/SWNT is synthesized by a novel fast and low‐cost aerosol chemical vapor deposition method in a one‐step synthesis. In SCEINs the single carbon layer does not prevent desired access of the reactants to the vicinity of the iron nanoparticles but protects the active metallic core from oxidation. This finding opens new avenues for utilizing active transition metals such as iron in a wide range of applications. |
| Keywords: | carbon nanotubes electrocatalysis hydrogen evolution reaction iron nanoparticles nonprecious metal catalysts |