Pt-Decorated NiMo/Carbon Hybrid Catalysts for High-Current-Density Hydrogen Evolution: Synergistic Electronic...

In response to the urgent demand for sustainable hydrogen production under industrial high-current-density conditions, this study presents the development of a Pt-decorated NiMo-based carbon-supported catalyst (Pt-NiMo/C) for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The catalyst was synthesized via a solvent evaporation method followed by high-temperature pyrolysis, achieving uniform dispersion of Pt-NiMo nanoparticles on conductive carbon. Electrochemical evaluations revealed exceptional HER performance with ultralow overpotentials of 20 and 170 mV versus RHE at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm⁻², respectively, surpassing commercial Pt/C benchmarks. The Pt-NiMo catalyst demonstrated robust stability over 120 hours at 100 mA cm⁻², attributed to its hierarchical structure and synergistic electronic interactions between Pt and NiMo. The MEA configuration showcased stable electrochemical performance with a current density of 100 mA cm⁻² at a cell voltage of 1.53 V versus RHE, highlighting its potential for efficient energy conversion applications such as water electrolysis or fuel cells. These results underscore the catalyst's potential for industrial-scale water electrolysis, offering a cost-effective and durable solution for green hydrogen production.