https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0715/c90000-20477776.html

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeg2036

A research team around Hu Wenbin at Tianjin University has proposed a transient assembly strategy for preparing platinum-group metal core-shell catalysts, offering a new route for improving hydrogen fuel cell performance and advancing green energy technologies.

Platinum-group catalysts play a critical role in modern energy, chemical and environmental industries. Building core-shell structures composed of platinum-group metals and non-precious metals with high efficiency and precision is key to achieving both high catalytic activity and reduced use of precious metals. These structures can activate the high catalytic performance of platinum-group metals through atomic coupling at the core-shell interface, which induces finely tuned lattice strain and ligand effects.

The new approach represents a fundamental innovation in the synthesis mechanism and brings major improvements to catalyst manufacturing. Conventional synthesis methods usually rely on gradual transformations among multiple thermodynamic equilibrium states under prolonged high-temperature annealing conditions. These processes are often time-consuming, energy-intensive and difficult to control precisely, limiting the performance and broader application of the catalysts.

The research team developed a non-equilibrium transient assembly strategy. Through periodic thermal pulses, the method delivers energy with millisecond-scale precision and drives nanocrystals to assemble into core-shell structures through continuous evolution of high-energy transient configurations. It also enables precise control over the atomic-layer thickness of the platinum shell. A conventional multistep process that usually takes several hours and involves different devices can be completed within minutes. The method can produce a precisely controlled three-atomic-layer platinum shell, helping optimize geometric and electronic effects and fully release catalytic activity.

The technology also reduces the energy consumption required to synthesize catalysts per unit mass by 90 percent and avoids the use of hazardous or highly polluting reagents, supporting low-carbon and greener manufacturing.

Catalysts synthesized through the new method achieved a rated power of 15.2 kilowatts per gram of platinum in hydrogen fuel cells, while also showing excellent durability.