Two-Dimensional New Phase Zirconium Dioxide Supported Platinum Interface for Acidic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Li, Penghao; Xu, Mengmeng; Chen, Jinxin; Ji, Yujin; Zhu, Wenxiang; Liao, Fan; Guo, Jinzeng; Pan, Sihui et al. · Nano Lett · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Platinum (Pt) is the benchmark catalyst for acidic hydrogen evolution (HER) but suffers from high cost and suboptimal adsorption-desorption kinetics. Interface engineering offers a solution, yet support selection remains critical. Here, we propose a new two-dimensional trigonal metastable phase zirconium dioxide (Tri-ZrO<sub>2</sub>, space group: <i>P</i>3̅<i>m</i>1 (164)) as an advanced support for anchoring Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs). Tri-ZrO<sub>2</sub> induces significant charge enrichment in the supported Pt NPs (Pt/Tri-ZrO<sub>2</sub>). When evaluated for acidic HER, Pt/Tri-ZrO<sub>2</sub> exhibits a low overpotential of 9 mV at -10 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> and a Tafel slope of 18.7 mV dec<sup>-1</sup>. Theoretical calculations and experimental results reveal that the Tri-ZrO<sub>2</sub> support modulates the electronic structure of Pt NPs, stabilizing the charge-enriched Pt species. The resulting downshifted <i>d</i>-band center of Pt weakens hydrogen intermediate (H*) binding, thereby accelerating H<sub>2</sub> production. This work provides a novel strategy for synthesizing unconventional-phase oxides and advances the electronic engineering of Pt-based materials for efficient electrocatalysis.