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Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Polyoxometalate-modified platinum enables enhanced hydrogen evolution in buffered electrolytes
Kang Xia1, Koichi Yatsuzuka2, Keisuke Obata2
1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. xiakang@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 17, 2026
Summary
Platinum catalysts show improved hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in neutral water when modified with SiW9 polyoxometalate. This enhancement boosts HER performance in non-extreme pH conditions, crucial for sustainable energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is vital for clean energy production.
- Achieving efficient HER catalysis under non-extreme pH conditions remains a significant challenge.
- Platinum (Pt) is a benchmark HER catalyst but faces limitations in neutral media.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SiW9 polyoxometalate modification on Pt catalyst HER activity.
- To explore enhancement mechanisms for HER in near-neutral pH environments.
- To develop more efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical characterization of Pt catalysts modified with SiW9 polyoxometalate.
- HER activity assessment in a phosphate-borate buffer at pH 9.2.
- Analysis of synergistic effects on Pt electronic structure and particle size.
Main Results:
- SiW9 polyoxometalate modification significantly enhanced the HER activity of Pt catalysts.
- The enhanced activity was observed in near-neutral media (pH 9.2).
- Synergistic co-tuning of Pt electronic structure and particle size was identified as the origin of enhancement.
Conclusions:
- SiW9 polyoxometalate is an effective modifier for improving Pt-based HER catalysts.
- The findings offer a new strategy for developing efficient electrocatalysts for HER under practical conditions.
- This research contributes to advancing sustainable hydrogen production technologies.
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