Abstract
Reducing the energy consumption of a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at a platinum (Pt) electrode is important for the hydrogen economy. Herein, we report the loading of alpha- or beta-nickel hydroxide (α- or β-Ni(OH)2) nanostructures on the surface of a Pt electrode to improve its catalytic activity and stability for HER in alkaline electrolytes. Both experimental and theoretical studies reveal that β-Ni(OH)2 is a better co-catalyst of Pt than α-Ni(OH)2 for promoting the HER, attributed to the higher water dissociation ability of β-Ni(OH)2, as well as the stronger interactions between β-Ni(OH)2 and the Pt electrode. Particularly, the overpotential of the HER in 0.1 M KOH at 10 mA cm-2 is decreased from 278 mV at the Pt electrode to 92 mV at the β-Ni(OH)2/Pt electrode, and the Tafel slope decreased from 62 to 42 mV dec-1, correspondingly. The performance of the β-Ni(OH)2/Pt catalytic electrode surpasses that of most of the previously reported electrodes for the same purpose.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 237-244 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | ACS Energy Letters |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 12 Jan 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
