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- Title
Atomic-level polarization in electric fields of defects for electrocatalysis.
- Authors
Xu, Jie; Xue, Xiong-Xiong; Shao, Gonglei; Jing, Changfei; Dai, Sheng; He, Kun; Jia, Peipei; Wang, Shun; Yuan, Yifei; Luo, Jun; Lu, Jun
- Abstract
The thriving field of atomic defect engineering towards advanced electrocatalysis relies on the critical role of electric field polarization at the atomic scale. While this is proposed theoretically, the spatial configuration, orientation, and correlation with specific catalytic properties of materials are yet to be understood. Here, by targeting monolayer MoS2 rich in atomic defects, we pioneer the direct visualization of electric field polarization of such atomic defects by combining advanced electron microscopy with differential phase contrast technology. It is revealed that the asymmetric charge distribution caused by the polarization facilitates the adsorption of H*, which originally activates the atomic defect sites for catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Then, it has been experimentally proven that atomic-level polarization in electric fields can enhance catalytic HER activity. This work bridges the long-existing gap between the atomic defects and advanced electrocatalysis by directly revealing the angstrom-scale electric field polarization and correlating it with the as-tuned catalytic properties of materials; the methodology proposed here could also inspire future studies focusing on catalytic mechanism understanding and structure-property-performance relationship. The visible evidence bridging atomic defects with catalytic properties has been scarcely explored. Using differential phase contrast technology, this work discloses the existence of a polarized electric field surrounding the antisite defects of a monolayer MoS2 material and its correlation to its electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution property.
- Subjects
POLARIZATION (Electricity); ELECTRIC fields; ELECTROCATALYSIS; PHASE-contrast microscopy; HYDROGEN evolution reactions; BRIDGE defects; ANTISITE defects
- Publication
Nature Communications, 2023, Vol 14, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2041-1723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41467-023-43689-y