Abstract
Here, we discuss the key features of electrocatalysis with mitrofanovite (Pt3Te4), a recently discovered mineral with superb performances in hydrogen evolution reaction. Mitrofanovite is a layered topological metal with spin-polarized topological surface states with potential applications for spintronics. However, mitrofanovite is also an exceptional platform for electrocatalysis, with costs of the electrodes suppressed by 47% owing to the partial replacement of Pt with Te. Remarkably, the Tafel slope in nanostructured mitrofanovite is just 33 mV/dec, while reduced mitrofanovite has the same Tafel slope (36 mV/dec) as state-of-the-art electrodes of pure Pt. Mitrofanovite also affords surface stability and robustness to CO poisoning. Accordingly, these findings pave the way for the advent of mitrofanovite for large-scale hydrogen production.
Highlights
Renewable sources have played a pivotal role in the context of energy production, constituting a valid alternative to nonrenewable energy sources close to exhaustion [1,2,3]
Mitrofanovite belongs to the R-3m (No.166) space group with calculated lattice parameters equal to a = 3.99 Å
We carried out synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) experiments, using a synchrotron-based facility to reduce the broadening of peaks compared to in-house XRD systems
Summary
Renewable sources have played a pivotal role in the context of energy production, constituting a valid alternative to nonrenewable energy sources close to exhaustion [1,2,3]. The capability to meet world energy demand in a sustainable way, minimizing both dependence on the unstable fossil fuel market and associated emissions, is one of the main challenges of the 21st century. In this context, hydrogen could play a key role in the future of energy devices and their related implications for economy [4,5,6,7].
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