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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
06:32
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
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Engineering the interfacial water hydrogen-bond network for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution
Longyu Wang1, Yiming Zhang2, Chengyu Zhang1
1College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, PR China; RCEES-IMCAS-UCAS Joint-Lab of Microbial Technology for Environmental Science, Beijing 100085, PR China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|October 24, 2025
Summary
This study developed a PtNi/WCx catalyst that optimizes water molecule behavior for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The catalyst enhances hydrogen production by reorganizing interfacial water, boosting reaction kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- The alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is vital for sustainable hydrogen production.
- Interfacial water molecule reactivity and abundance limit HER kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a WCx-supported PtNi alloy (PtNi/WCx) catalyst for enhanced alkaline HER.
- To investigate the role of interfacial water structure in catalytic activity.
Main Methods:
- In situ Raman spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) were used.
- The study focused on electron density manipulation at metal sites to reorganize interfacial water.
Main Results:
- The PtNi/WCx catalyst disrupts the interfacial water hydrogen-bond network via electron-rich Pt sites.
- This disruption enhances the mobility and reactivity of H2O* and OH* intermediates.
- The optimized catalyst exhibits exceptional HER activity (16 mV at 10 mA cm⁻²).
Conclusions:
- Interfacial water structure manipulation is a viable strategy for optimizing HER catalysts.
- The findings provide a microscopic understanding and theoretical guidance for catalyst design.
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