The Synthesis of Low Pt loading Ag_core- Pt atoms-exposed_shell Structure by Ligand Exchange Method with High Electrocatalytic Performance for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Platinum-based nanomaterials are well-known to show excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic performance. The sophisticated structural design facilitates the development of related disciplines such as water splitting devices. Here, a kind of Agcore- Pt atoms-exposedshell structure could be synthesized through ligand exchange between Ag nanoparticles and Pt polysulfide precursor at room temperature (RT). The Ag core maintains its face-centered cubic phase (FCC) crystal phase after the formation of Agcore- Pt atoms-exposedshell structure. While Pt atoms account for only 0.4617 percent of the catalyst mass. With a further electrochemical reduction of Pt (IV) atoms into metallic state Pt (0) atoms from -1.2 V vs. RHE to 0.4 V vs. RHE, the HER catalytic performance of Agcore- Pt atoms-exposedshell would exceed that of commercial 20% Pt/C at low potentials (<-0.487 V vs. RHE). Furthermore, we found the HER performance is stable, which verifies that the Pt polysulfide is tightly bound to the surface of Ag. Specifically, the present approach shows great potential for the construction of nanostructure with high atomic utilization.