Platinum chalcogenides (S, Se, Te) for efficient electrochemical hydrogen evolution: structure-activity
Qianqian Tang1,2, Qinbo Yu1, Jian Zhang3
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Function-Oriented Porous Materials, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471934, P. R. China. lijin1986@lynu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Platinum chalcogenides (PtX, X = S, Se, Te) integrate the high intrinsic activity of platinum with the structural tunability of layered materials, making them promising candidates for electrocatalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This review establishes structure-activity relationships linking the crystal phase, layer thickness, and chalcogen identity to electronic properties such as conductivity, d-band center, and density of states. Key optimization strategies, including nanostructuring, heterostructure engineering, and disorder/activation engineering, enable ultralow Pt loadings while achieving HER activity comparable to commercial Pt/C. Despite progress, major challenges remain, including poor performance in neutral electrolytes, an incomplete understanding of catalytic dynamics, and inadequate long-term durability under industrial conditions. Future directions emphasize multicomponent heterostructures, surface engineering for complex media, multimodal operando techniques integrated with theoretical modeling, and AI-accelerated catalyst discovery. This review provides a framework for advancing PtX toward practical, cost-effective hydrogen production.
