Liquid Metal Electrocatalyst with Ultralow Pt Loading for Ethanol Oxidation

• DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400370
• Publication Date: 2024-10-07T04:24:01Z
• Authors: Muhammad Hamza Nazir; Tu C. Le; Imtisal Zahid; Karma Zuraiqi; Mew P. Aukarasere...; Caiden J. Parker; Pierre H. A. Vail...; Fahad Jabbar; Chung Kim Nguyen; Mehmood Irfan; Mariam Ameen; Michelle J. S. Sp...; Andrew J. Christo...; Salvy P. Russo; Ken Chiang; Nastaran Meftahi; Torben Daeneke; Dan Yang
• Keywords: Direct-ethanol fuel cell; Alcohol fuel; Alcohol Oxidation

Developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts for ethanol electro‐oxidation is crucial enabling the application of direct fuel cell technology. Herein, it demonstrated that Pt–Ga liquid metal‐based nanodroplets can serve as an electrocatalyst to drive oxidation. The mass activity Pt significantly improved by alloying with gallium. Guided machine learning neural networks, a low‐concentration alkaline electrolyte specifically formulated allow electrodes ultralow loading demonstrate remarkable toward oxidation high 13.47 A mg −1 , which more than 14 times higher commercial Pt/C (i.e., 0.76 ). Computational studies reveal superior associated presence Ga oxides adjacent on catalyst surface leads energetically favorable pathways process. findings untapped opportunities in realm metal catalysis hold great promise future development high‐performance alcohol cells.