---
res:
  bibo_abstract:
  - Lattice strain engineering can regulate the electronic structure of electrocatalysts,
    but stabilizing distorted metastable phases remains challenging. Here, we report
    an N,N-dimethylformamide-assisted strategy for synthesizing metastable hexagonal
    close-packed (HCP) Ni nanoparticles with local lattice-spacing deviations reaching
    approximately 5.2%. Structural and spectroscopic analyses support a dilute interstitial-carbon-stabilized
    HCP Ni framework dominated by expanded metallic Ni─Ni coordination rather than
    ordered Ni3C. Carbon-associated perturbations inhibit structural relaxation and
    retain the distorted HCP framework. Operando x-ray absorption and infrared spectroscopies
    indicate the formation of a NiOOH-like working surface coupled to an HCP-derived
    subsurface framework, accompanied by potential-dependent changes in the interfacial
    hydrogen-bonding environment and urea-derived species. Calculations using idealized
    metallic models show that HCP lattice strain induces a Ni d-band upshift, anisotropic
    Ni─Ni bonding, and localized charge redistribution, modifying adsorption-energy
    trends for the urea oxidation reaction. The optimized HCP-Ni delivers an apparent
    steady-state Tafel slope of 26.95 mV dec−1, over twice the electrochemically active
    surface area-normalized activity of the face-centered cubic-containing controls,
    and approximately 98% apparent urea conversion after 22 h. It sustains current
    for over 120 h in three-electrode testing and enables over 400 h of urea-assisted
    zinc–air battery cycling. This work demonstrates dilute interstitial-carbon stabilization
    as a route to strained metastable electrocatalysts.@eng
  bibo_authorlist:
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Qian
      foaf_name: Xue, Qian
      foaf_surname: Xue
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Jing
      foaf_name: Yu, Jing
      foaf_surname: Yu
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Juguo
      foaf_name: Dai, Juguo
      foaf_surname: Dai
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Linlin
      foaf_name: Yang, Linlin
      foaf_surname: Yang
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Xiaoyu
      foaf_name: Bi, Xiaoyu
      foaf_surname: Bi
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Yuchuan
      foaf_name: Ren, Yuchuan
      foaf_surname: Ren
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Jia
      foaf_name: Zhang, Jia
      foaf_surname: Zhang
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Xuede
      foaf_name: Qi, Xuede
      foaf_surname: Qi
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Yudi
      foaf_name: Wang, Yudi
      foaf_surname: Wang
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Ying
      foaf_name: Xu, Ying
      foaf_surname: Xu
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Jordi
      foaf_name: Arbiol, Jordi
      foaf_surname: Arbiol
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Ren
      foaf_name: He, Ren
      foaf_surname: He
      foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=366c4efa-f61c-11f0-808b-d12a4547ac69
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Xueqiang
      foaf_name: Qi, Xueqiang
      foaf_surname: Qi
  - foaf_Person:
      foaf_givenName: Andreu
      foaf_name: Cabot, Andreu
      foaf_surname: Cabot
  bibo_doi: 10.1002/anie.2874510
  dct_date: 2026^xs_gYear
  dct_isPartOf:
  - http://id.crossref.org/issn/1433-7851
  - http://id.crossref.org/issn/1521-3773
  dct_language: eng
  dct_publisher: Wiley@
  dct_subject:
  - electrocatalysis
  - HCP nickel
  - interstitial carbon
  - kinetic trapping
  - lattice strain engineering
  - urea oxidation reaction
  dct_title: Dilute interstitial carbon stabilization of highly strained metastable
    HCP Nickel for enhanced electrocatalysis@
  fabio_hasPubmedId: '42745541'
...