Investigating affordable cobalt based metallosurfactant as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution...

The implementation of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an essential requirement of a stable electrocatalyst that competes for the performance of noble metals (Pt, Pd), especially in acidic conditions. This research reports the design and development of affordable cobalt (Co) based metallosurfactant (CoCPC(I)) which performs under acidic medium (0.5 N H₂SO₄) for HER. Such a fabricated catalyst is able to lower the cathodic potentials efficiently and exhibits 130 mV onset potential and Tafel slope of 104 mVdec^-1 that depicts the presence of Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. The results of the studies confirm that our synthesized metallosurfactant forms metallomicelles on the surface of electrode and surface remains stable even after the electrochemical cycle. Further, the surfactant protects the metal centre as an active site for a longer time via forming metallo-micelles which helps to sustain activity. These outcomes reveal the efficient mass and charge transfer capability of CoCPC(I) which results in faster charge transfer kinetics. Therefore, the utilization of Co based metallosurfactant can split water easily, cost-effectively, and without using hazardous chemicals. Our demonstrated technology seems suitable for industrial applications due to features of large-scale production possibilities.