Pt and Pt–Ni(OH)2 Electrodes for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Electrolytes and Their Nanoscaled Electrocatalysts

• Published in: ChemSusChem Vol. 11; no. 16; pp. 2643 - 2653
• Main Authors: Ruqia, Bibi, Choi, Sang‐Il
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 22.08.2018
• Subjects: Alternative energy; bifunctional catalysts; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical synthesis; Electrocatalysts; electrolytes; Energy of dissociation; Energy technology; hydrogen; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Hydrogen-based energy; Nanomaterials; nickel; Nickel compounds; platinum; Reaction kinetics; Reaction mechanisms; bifunctional catalysts; nickel; platinum; hydrogen; electrolytes
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201800781

The design and synthesis of Pt‐based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are of great importance for the successful development of hydrogen‐based alternative energy technologies. Although Pt is considered to be the most active catalyst for the HER, its reaction performance is limited in alkaline solutions owing to a slow rate for water dissociation. Therefore, many research groups have intensively investigated reaction mechanisms and developed system designs and efficient Pt‐based catalysts to enhance the alkaline HER. Herein, we summarize the catalytic surface specificity of Pt and Pt–Ni(OH)2 materials to control the kinetics of the alkaline HER. In particular, we increase our understanding of Ni(OH)2‐modified Pt surfaces and the corresponding nanoscaled Pt–Ni(OH)2 electrocatalysts to improve the sluggish water‐dissociation step, and this knowledge will guide us to future sustainable energy applications of advanced nanomaterials. Alkaline hydrogen: The alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at Pt surfaces proceeds through Volmer–Heyrovsky and Volmer–Tafel mechanisms. If the Pt surface is modified with Ni(OH)2 clusters, the Volmer–Tafel mechanism with a promoted rate‐determining Volmer step and subsequent H2 generation will dominate. Benefitting from bifunctionality, the nanoscaled Pt–Ni(OH)2‐based electrocatalyst shows highly improved HER performance in alkaline electrolytes.