Modulating W5+/W6+ in PtCu/WOx Schottky Heterojunctions for Optimized Built-in Electric Field to Accelerate Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Modulating W5+/W6+ in PtCu/WOx Schottky Heterojunctions for Optimized Built-in Electric Field to Accelerate Oxygen Reduction Reaction | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Modulating W 5+ /W 6+ in PtCu/WOx Schottky Heterojunctions for Optimized Built-in Electric Field to Accelerate Oxygen Reduction Reaction Xue Feng Lu, Jiaqing Liu, Xinran Sun, Jilan Zeng, Jiayi Chen, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6607005/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The built-in electric field (BIEF) in Schottky heterojunctions plays a crucial role in modulating electrocatalytic activity, yet precise control over electron transfer to optimize the adsorption and desorption of intermediates and accelerate catalytic kinetics remains challenging. Herein, we construct a tunable BIEF in Schottky heterojunction by anchoring ultrafine PtCu alloy nanoparticles on the surface of WOx supports (PtCu/WOx) via surface segregation and galvanic replacement reaction. The increased W5+/W6+ ratio enlarges the work function difference, driving intense electron transfer at the interface. Kelvin probe force microscopy and zeta potential analysis visualize and quantify the BIEF, establishing a volcano relationship between the BIEF intensity and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. Besides, the abundant oxygen vacancies in WOx support facilitate the adsorption of oxygen on PtCu. The optimized PtCu/WOx-350 with a moderate BIEF presents the fastest ORR kinetic process. This work explores the correlation between BIEF and ORR kinetics, offering new insights into the rational design of Schottky heterojunctions, elucidating the interface charge transfer mechanism, and enhancing the electrocatalytic performance. Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials for energy and catalysis/Electrocatalysis Physical sciences/Chemistry/Electrochemistry/Electrocatalysis Schottky heterojunctions W5+/W6+ electron transfer built-in electric field oxygen reduction reaction Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files PtCuXWOxSI.pdf PtCux@WOx_SI Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6607005","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":453181615,"identity":"0e6ec444-7a2a-44a3-819c-3361e17f9204","order_by":0,"name":"Xue Feng 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Herein, we construct a tunable BIEF in Schottky heterojunction by anchoring ultrafine PtCu alloy nanoparticles on the surface of WOx supports (PtCu/WOx) via surface segregation and galvanic replacement reaction. The increased W5+/W6+ ratio enlarges the work function difference, driving intense electron transfer at the interface. Kelvin probe force microscopy and zeta potential analysis visualize and quantify the BIEF, establishing a volcano relationship between the BIEF intensity and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. Besides, the abundant oxygen vacancies in WOx support facilitate the adsorption of oxygen on PtCu. The optimized PtCu/WOx-350 with a moderate BIEF presents the fastest ORR kinetic process. 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