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A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
Geometric Structure and Electronic Polarization Synergistically Boost Hydrogen Evolution Kinetics in Alkaline Medium
Shanlin Li1,2, Ruguang Ma2,3, Yu Pei2
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Microstructure and Properties of Solids, Institute of Microstructure and Property of Advanced Materials, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
Abstract:
Efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are significant for the utilization of hydrogen as a fuel, particularly under alkaline conditions. However, the sluggish kinetics of HER remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate an efficient HER catalyst comprising Ru and AgCl nanoparticles anchored on Ag nanowires (Ru/AgCl@Ag), which delivers a low overpotential of 12 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and a Tafel slope of 38 mV decade-1. A high mass activity of 214 mA mg-1 at an overpotential of 25 mV and a long-term durability in 1.0 M KOH are observed. In combination with computational simulations, we find that the high electronegativity of chlorine in AgCl and d-band electrons from Ru synergistically destabilize the water molecule and modulate H adsorption/desorption on the surface of Ru/AgCl@Ag, respectively. This work opens a promising avenue for the facile design and application of highly active and stable composite electrocatalysts toward water splitting.
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