Carbon core-shell Pt nanoparticle embedded porphyrin Co-MOF derived N-doped porous carbon for the alkaline AEM water electrolyzer application

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 5967 - 5979
• Main Authors: Subramaniam, Mohan Raj, Ramakrishnan, Shanmugam, Sidra, Saleem, Karthikeyan, S. C, Vijayapradeep, Subramanian, Huang, Jian, Mamlouk, Mohamed, Kim, Do Hwan, Yoo, Dong Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 05.03.2024
• Subjects: Aniline; Anion exchange; Anion exchanging; Carbon; Cobalt; Current density; Density functional theory; Electrocatalysts; Energy value; Free energy; Hydrogen evolution; Metal-organic frameworks; Nanoparticles; Platinum; Porous materials; Porphyrins; Pyrolysis; Renewable energy
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ta06745a

Industrial clean hydrogen (H 2 ) production using efficient and durable electrocatalysts is an essential goal for developing future renewable energy systems. Herein, we report the synthesis of carbon core-shell platinum (Pt) nanoparticles embedded in porphyrin cobalt (Co) metal-organic framework (MOF) derived nitrogen-doped porous carbon (Pt@Co-NPC) via pyrolysis of Pt-aniline complex/Co-MOF at 600-800 °C for the H 2 evolution reaction (HER). In 1.0 M KOH electrolyte medium, the resulting Pt@Co-NPC-800 electrocatalyst achieved a low overpotential of 34 mV to reach 10 mA cm −2 , together with a Tafel slope of 42.72 mV dec −1 , and good stability for more than 96 h at a current density of 100 and 200 mA cm −2 compared to commercial Pt nanoparticles with a carbon support (Pt/C). Notably, high surface area (263.40 m 2 g −1 ) porous carbon materials with uniformly distributed Pt@Co nanostructures provided better HER electrocatalytic activity. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the improved HER activity of the Pt@Co-NPC-800 electrocatalyst arises from the enhanced synergetic effect between the Pt and Co, which induces the favourable Gibbs free-energy value of −0.120 eV for H* adsorption in the Pt active site. Besides, the fabricated anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) achieved a current density of ∼1.32 A cm −2 at 2.34 V cell in 1.0 M KOH, 60 °C. The designed Pt@Co-NPC-800 electrocatalyst provides a new direction to make efficient AEMWEs. Efficient and durable carbon core-shell Pt@Co nanoparticles interconnected porous carbon electrocatalyst for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer application.