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Interface- and Surface-Engineered PdO-RuO2 Hetero-Nanostructures with High Activity for Hydrogen Evolution/Oxidation
Rajib Samanta1, Ranjit Mishra1, Sudip Barman1
1School of Chemical Science, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), HBNI Bhubaneswar, Bhimpur-Padanpur, Via Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.
Chemsuschem
|March 24, 2021
Summary
New PdO-RuO2-C catalysts show high activity for hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR), crucial for renewable energy. These advanced catalysts outperform existing materials in alkaline conditions, offering a promising alternative to platinum.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy Technologies
Background:
- Active catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) are essential for advancing hydrogen-based renewable energy systems.
- Hetero-nanostructures offer synergistic integration of components, leading to enhanced catalytic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize PdO-RuO2-C hetero-nanostructures with abundant interfaces and defects.
- To evaluate the catalytic performance of the synthesized material for HER and HOR in various electrolytes.
- To investigate the influence of cation species and concentration on HER/HOR kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PdO-RuO2-C hetero-nanostructures.
- Electrochemical evaluation of HER and HOR activity using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.
- Analysis of kinetic parameters including Tafel slopes and exchange current densities.
- Investigation of electrolyte effects, specifically cation type (K+, Na+, Li+) and concentration.
Main Results:
- The PdO-RuO2-C catalyst demonstrated high current density (10 mA cm−2 at 44 mV) and a low Tafel slope (34 mV dec−1) for HER in 1 M KOH.
- HER mass activity was 3x higher in alkaline media and comparable to Pt/C in acidic media, with excellent stability.
- The catalyst exhibited superior HOR activity in alkaline media, outperforming Pt/C, and significantly higher exchange current density compared to Pd/C and Pt/C.
- HER/HOR kinetics were influenced by cation species (K+ < Na+ < Li+) and Li+ concentration, explained by OHads-M+-(H2O)x interactions and the hard and soft acid and base (HSAB) theory.
Conclusions:
- The PdO-RuO2-C catalyst, engineered with abundant interfaces and synergistic interactions, shows exceptional performance for both HER and HOR.
- The catalyst's activity is significantly enhanced in alkaline electrolytes, offering a promising alternative to precious metal catalysts like platinum.
- Understanding the role of cation interactions provides insights for designing advanced oxide-based electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications.
