Enhanced Catalytic Performance via Ultrasonication-Plasma Synergy in PtGaPCoO_x Catalysts Under Mild Conditions

Abstract

The synergistic effect of bi-component support catalysts via facile synthesis remains a pivotal challenge in catalysis, particularly under mild conditions. Therefore, this study reports an ultrasonication-plasma strategy to produce a PtGaPCoCoO@TiO_x site catalyst encapsulated within a high-entropy alloy framework. This approach harnesses instantaneous high-temperature plasma generated using an electrical field and ultrasonication under ambient conditions in H₂O. This study also elucidates the origin of the bifunctional effect in high-loading, ultra-stable, and ultra-fine PtGaPCoCoO catalysts, which are coated with a reducible TiO_x layer, thereby achieving optimal catalytic activity and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. PtGaPCo intimacy in PtGaPCoCoO@TiO_x is tuned and distributed on the porous titania coating based on strong metal–support interactions by leveraging the instantaneous high-energy input from plasma discharge and ultrasonication under ambient conditions in H₂O. PtGaPCoCoO@TiO_x exhibits remarkable selectivity and durability in the hydrogenation of 3-nitrophenylacetylene, even after 25 cycles with high conversion rates, significantly outperforming comparative catalysts lacking the ultrasonication plasma treatment and other reported catalysts. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits exceptional HER activity, demonstrated by an overpotential of 187 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 152 mV dec⁻¹. This enhancement can be attributed to an increased electron density on the Pt surface within the PtGaPCo alloy. These findings highlight the potential of achieving synergistic chemical interactions among active metal sites in stable, industry-applicable catalysts.

Keywords

bi-components / catalysts / hydrogen evolution / metals / plasma / ultrasonic

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