Porous CeO₂/CuO Heterostructure for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in an Acidic Medium

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean energy technologies.
• Noble metal-based catalysts are effective but expensive, driving research into earth-abundant alternatives.
• Transition metal oxides offer potential as cost-effective HER electrocatalysts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel composite electrocatalyst, CeO2/CuO, for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
• To investigate the catalytic activity, stability, and underlying mechanisms of the CeO2/CuO composite.
• To explore the potential of earth-abundant transition metal oxides as alternatives to noble metal catalysts for HER.

Main Methods:

• A simple, facile, one-step hydrothermal method was employed for synthesizing the CeO2/CuO composite electrocatalyst.
• F-127 was utilized as a template and structure-directing agent during synthesis.
• Electrochemical measurements were conducted in an acidic medium to evaluate HER performance and stability.

Main Results:

• The synthesized CeO2/CuO composite exhibited high HER activity, with an overpotential of 98 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and 160 mV at 50 mA cm⁻².
• The electrocatalyst demonstrated good stability, maintaining performance for 20 hours in an acidic medium.
• Enhanced catalytic performance is attributed to synergetic interface interactions, improved conductivity, increased reactive sites, and oxygen vacancies.

Conclusions:

• The CeO2/CuO composite is a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
• The findings highlight the potential of earth-abundant transition metal oxides as efficient and economical alternatives to noble metal catalysts.
• This work contributes to the advancement of sustainable hydrogen production technologies.