Single-atomic platinum on fullerene C₆₀ surfaces for accelerated alkaline hydrogen evolution

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for sustainable hydrogen fuel production.
• Single-atom catalysts offer high activity but face challenges in preparation and loading.
• Improving HER kinetics in alkaline media is an ongoing research objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop high-loading, high-dispersion single-atomic platinum catalysts on C60 (Pt/C60).
• To achieve efficient HER catalytic performance using a facile room-temperature synthesis.
• To elucidate the mechanism behind the enhanced HER kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Room-temperature synthesis of Pt/C60 catalysts.
• Electrocatalytic testing for HER performance (overpotential, current density).
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study reaction mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Pt/C60-2 catalysts demonstrated high HER activity with a low overpotential of 25 mV at 10 mA cm⁻².
• High loading and dispersion of single-atomic platinum on C60 were achieved.
• DFT calculations indicated favorable water adsorption and hydrogen desorption due to Pt-C60 structures and charge redistribution.

Conclusions:

• The developed Pt/C60 catalysts provide a promising pathway for efficient hydrogen fuel generation.
• The room-temperature synthesis strategy overcomes limitations of traditional methods.
• The unique electronic structure of Pt-C60 enhances catalytic activity and reaction kinetics, particularly in alkaline electrolytes.