Catalytic Activity of Pt/TaB₂(0001) for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

A great film with special effects: An epitaxial Pt thin film with a thickness of 1.5 nm on a TaB2(0001) substrate (see high-angle annular dark-field STEM image) was tested as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. Its specific activity was twice that observed for polycrystalline Pt or Pt(111). Analysis and DFT calculations showed that the Pt layer is alloyed with Ta, the electronic effect of which on Pt leads to the enhanced activity. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.