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Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity in Single-Atom Pt-Decorated VS2 Nanosheets
Jingting Zhu1, Lejuan Cai2, Xinmao Yin3,4
1International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronics Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P.R. China.
ACS Nano
|April 23, 2020
Summary
Platinum catalysts with diverse structures, including single atoms, were anchored on VS2 nanosheets for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). Single-atom platinum catalysts significantly boosted Pt utilization and HER activity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Noble metal catalysts are crucial for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- Systematic studies on the structure-activity relationship of noble metals in HER catalysts are limited.
- Vanadium disulfide (VS2) nanosheets offer a promising support material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of different platinum (Pt) structures (single atoms, clusters, nanoparticles) anchored on VS2 nanosheets on HER performance.
- To understand the underlying mechanisms for enhanced catalytic activity.
- To develop a cost-effective method for preparing advanced HER catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Optothermal method for anchoring Pt structures (single atoms, clusters, nanoparticles) onto VS2 nanosheets.
- Electrocatalytic testing for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance evaluation.
- Theoretical simulations (DFT) to elucidate the mechanism of enhanced activity.
Main Results:
- Pt-decorated VS2 catalysts exhibited varying HER performance based on Pt structure.
- The catalyst with both Pt single atoms (SAs) and clusters showed an overpotential of 77 mV at 10 mA cm-2.
- Pt SAs on VS2 achieved a mass activity 12 times higher than Pt/C, attributed to enhanced Pt utilization.
- Theoretical simulations confirmed that Pt SA decoration optimizes H* adsorption and improves charge transfer.
Conclusions:
- Anchoring diverse Pt structures onto VS2 nanosheets is an effective strategy for enhancing HER.
- Pt single atoms on VS2 significantly improve Pt utilization and catalytic activity.
- The synergy between Pt structures and VS2, along with optimized electronic properties, drives the enhanced HER performance.
