Onsite Substitution Synthesis of Ultrathin Ni Nanofilms Loading Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Here, the ultrathin Ni nanofilms loading ultrafine Pt nanoparticles (Ni/Pt nanocomposites) were synthesized by a simple substitution method for the electrocatalysis of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). First, the ultrathin Ni nanofilms were prepared by using NaBH4 to reduce Ni salt. Then the ultrafine Pt nanoparticles attached on the surface of the ultrathin Ni nanofilms through the onsite substitution reaction between PtCl6(2-) and Ni element. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiment confirmed that Ni in Ni/Pt nanocomposites exists in the form of Ni(OH)2. Transmission electro microscope (TEM) study showed that the ultrafine Pt nanoparticles were sufficiently dispersed and loaded at Ni ultrathin nanofilms. The obtained Ni/Pt nanocomposites exhibited superior activity of HER and good stability in acidic media. It obtained 10 and 100 mA/cm(2) with overpotential of only 36 and 115 mV, respectively. The stability experiment of 20,000 s gave nearly negligible current decrease. On the one hand, the ultrathin Ni nanofilms help to disperse and form the ultrafine Pt nanoparticles. On the other hand, the ultrathin Ni nanofilms help to load the ultrafine Pt nanoparticles as catalyst support and immobilize both of them onto the electrode surface because of the high surface free energy of ultrathin nanofilm and the leading high adsorption ability. In addition, Ni itself exhibited somewhat electrocatalytic activity of HER, which contributed to the whole HER electrocatalysis of Ni/Pt nanocomposites. The excellent electrocatalysis may lead to the decreased consumption of expensive Pt and open up new opportunities for applications in hydrogen energy.

Polyallylamine-Functionalized Platinum Tripods: Enhancement of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Proton Carriers

“…Hydrogen, as a green fuel, has been widely considered as an alternative clean energy carrier. Among various hydrogen generation methods, the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is viewed as one of the most effective and environmentally friendly approaches because of its sustainability, absence of emissions, and energy security. , To date, the noble metal Pt is still considered as the most efficient electrocatalyst for the HER because of its advantageous features, such as excellent electrochemical stability, highly competitive electrocatalytic activity, and low overpotential. − In view of the prohibitive price of Pt metal, many efforts have been devoted to reducing the use of Pt by downsizing the Pt particle size or combining Pt with a less-expensive component. , However, the effect of the interface structure of Pt nanocrystals on the HER has rarely been investigated. In the present work, we developed a facile route to synthesize polyallylamine (PAA)-functionalized Pt tripods (Pt tripods @PAA) with ultrathin and ultralong branches in an aqueous solution.…”

Ni–W–S nanoparticles in‐situ synthesised on Ti mesh for electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose

“…Although glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) are often used as a support electrode, the direct attachment of the catalysts on GCEs is not stable enough for practical applications. Here, the Ti mesh was employed as supporting electrode to anchor the Ni–W–S nanocatalysts through in‐situ synthesis or growth since Ti is high corrosion resistant in strong alkali media and in‐situ deposition can lead to the strong adhesion of catalysts [18, 19]. The SEM images of Fig.…”

Sulfur-Rich Molybdenum Sulfide Grown on Porous N-Doped Graphene for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

“…5−8 Noble metal catalysts, in particular, Pt-based materials, have demonstrated remarkable HER activity. 9,10 Nevertheless, the scarcity and expensive cost of these noble metals limit their further large-scale applications. 11 Therefore, developing economical non-noble metal materials with high HER catalytic activity is important.…”

“…Hydrogen, as a pollution-free and recyclable energy source, has attracted tremendous attention. − Water electrolysis (2H 2 O → O 2 + 2H 2 ) is one effective way to achieve hydrogen production and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is its essential component. − Noble metal catalysts, in particular, Pt-based materials, have demonstrated remarkable HER activity. , Nevertheless, the scarcity and expensive cost of these noble metals limit their further large-scale applications . Therefore, developing economical non-noble metal materials with high HER catalytic activity is important.…”