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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Morphology Control of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalyst Promoting H2 Mass Transfer
Gaoxin Lin1,2, Anrui Dong1,2, Zhiheng Li1,2
1Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels and Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou310030, Zhejiang Province, China.
Nano Letters
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Optimizing electrode structure for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is key. 1D nanorod catalysts efficiently release hydrogen bubbles, boosting water electrolyzer performance and stability.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Gas bubble accumulation during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) impedes mass transfer and limits performance.
- Optimizing electrode microstructures for efficient hydrogen gas (H2) release is crucial for high-performance water electrolyzers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate NiMo/MoO2-based catalysts with diverse nanostructures (1D nanorod, 2D nanosheet, 3D complex) for enhanced HER mass transfer.
- To identify the optimal electrode microstructure for efficient H2 bubble release and improved water electrolysis.
Main Methods:
- Precise synthesis of NiMo/MoO2 catalysts in 1D nanorod (1D-NR), 2D nanosheet (2D-NS), and 3D nanosheet-rod complex (3D-SR) architectures.
- Characterization of bubble detachment dynamics and potential fluctuations for each structure.
- Performance testing in an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer at high current densities.
Main Results:
- The 1D-NR structure exhibited the fastest bubble detachment time (200 ± 40 ms) and minimal potential fluctuation due to its open channels and low adhesive force.
- In an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer, 1D-NR catalysts promoted central bubble flow, suppressing inefficient slug and annular flow.
- The 1D-NR catalyzed device achieved a high current density of 1.87 A cm-2 at 1.8 V, outperforming 2D-NS and 3D-SR catalysts by 96.8% and 30.8%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The 1D nanorod structure is optimal for enhancing mass transfer and performance in HER catalysis.
- NiMo/MoO2-based 1D-NR catalysts demonstrate significant improvements in efficiency and long-term stability (1400 h at 1 A cm-2) for water electrolysis.
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