Copper-Doped Cobalt Spinel Electrocatalysts Supported on Activated Carbon for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The development of electrocatalysts based on the doping of copper over cobalt spinel supported on a microporous activated carbon has been studied. Both copper-cobalt and cobalt spinel nanoparticles were synthesized using a silica-template method. Hybrid materials consisting of an activated carbon (AC), cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄), and copper-doped cobalt oxide (CuCo₂O₄) nanoparticles, were obtained by dry mixing technique and evaluated as electrocatalysts in alkaline media for hydrogen evolution reaction. Physical mixtures containing 5, 10, and 20 wt.% of Co₃O₄ or CuCo₂O₄ with a highly microporous activated carbon were prepared and characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, physical adsorption of gases, and electrochemical techniques. The electrochemical tests revealed that the electrodes containing copper as the dopant cation result in a lower overpotential and higher current density for the hydrogen evolution reaction.