Characterization and hydrogen evolution on Pt/nanoplatelets

Abstract

Finding suitable catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is key for economic production of hydrogen for use in fuel cells. Reducing the amount of expensive noble metals that are used is one of the ways for obtaining such catalysts. Various combinations of different noble metals and various carbon supports have been studied. In this work nanoplatelets (GNP) was used as a support and on it Pt nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited in sub monolayer nanoislands. Obtained Pt/GNP electrode was characterized by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while its electrocatalytic activity was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry . XPS analysis showed that the atomic percentages of Pt in Pt/GNP was 1.3% for electhrochemical deposition and 0.3% for spontaneous deposition, respectively. SEM micrographs of Pt/GNP electrode surface showed that Pt nanoparticles occupy mostly the edges GNP support, while elemental maping confirms the distribution of Pt, C and O over the surface of the electrode. Pt/GNP electrode has shown remarkably good performance for HER reaction in 0.5 M H2SO4 acid solution. Outstanding HER activity was achieved, showing the initial potential close to the equilibrium potential for HER and of -0.003 V and a low Tafel slope of about -30 mV/dec. The chronoamperometric measurement performed over 180 min for hydrogen evolution at the constant potential indicates good stability and durability.Twenty-First Young Researchers’ Conference - Materials Science and Engineering: Program and the Book of Abstracts; November 29 – December 1, 2023, Belgrade, Serbi

    Similar works