Magnetically Collected Platinum/Nickel Alloy Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a key process in electrochemical water splitting. To lower the cost and environmental impact of this process, it is highly motivated to develop electrocatalysts with low or no content of noble metals. Here, we report on an ingenious synthesis of hybrid Pt x Ni 1−x electrocatalysts in the form of a nanoparticle−nanonetwork structure with very low noble metal content. The structure possesses important features such as good electrical conductivity, high surface area, strong interlinking, and substrate adhesion, which render an excellent HER activity. Specifically, the best performing Pt 0.05 Ni 0.95 sample demonstrates a Tafel slope of 30 mV dec −1 in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and an overpotential of 20 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 with high stability. The impressive catalytic performance is further rationalized in a theoretical study, which provides insight into the mechanism on how such small platinum content can allow for close-to-optimal adsorption energies for hydrogen.

Multi‐Component PtFeCoNi Core‐Shell Nanoparticles on MWCNTs as Promising Bifunctional Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

“…Pt/Ni alloys are known electro‐catalysts, [28–31] which would explain the superior performance of PFCN@NT 300 (see below). However, the XPS analysis did not show the presence of Ni 0 , which rules out the formation of bulk Ni x Pt y ‐nanoparticles [28–31] . Surface sites with elevated catalytic activity might still be present at the Pt/Ni‐interface.…”

“…Instead, Ni rather accumulates around the Pt cores, which might indicate alloy formation. Pt/Ni alloys are known electro‐catalysts, [28–31] which would explain the superior performance of PFCN@NT 300 (see below). However, the XPS analysis did not show the presence of Ni 0 , which rules out the formation of bulk Ni x Pt y ‐nanoparticles [28–31] .…”

“…However, the XPS analysis did not show the presence of Ni 0 , which rules out the formation of bulk Ni x Pt ynanoparticles. [28][29][30][31] Surface sites with elevated catalytic activity might still be present at the Pt/Ni-interface.…”

How advances in theoretical chemistry meet industrial expectations in electrocatalysts for water splitting

“…Industry demands a step forward in the rational design 80 of catalytic electrodes and to realise this, the magnetic properties of the whole catalytic interphase must also be considered at the development stage. 6,10,45,[81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96] MagnetoCat's R&D department is currently pushing fundamental computational chemistry towards the proper inclusion of quantum correlations [4][5][6]50 in the description of complete reaction pathways, materials properties and comprehensive physical models. This methodology allows a common treatment and a fair comparison (with similar accuracy) between closed-shell (weakly correlated) and open-shell catalysts alike.…”

Bifunctional Nanostructured Palladium/MoSx Electrocatalyst for Cathode Hydrogen Evolution Reaction PEM Water Electrolysis and Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…As a standard electrode material, platinum and its hybrid nanostructures have accomplished the most effective electrocatalytic properties, regarding HER and ORR processes. [6][7][8][9][10][11] However, these Pt-based electrode materials show a lack of long-term operational stability, not to mention the high cost of platinum metal. Thus, the development of durable electrocatalytic systems is of high priority for the large scale "green" energy production.…”