Open AccessSynthesis of a MoS x –O–PtO x Electrocatalyst with High Hydrogen Evolution Activity Using a Sacrificial Counter‐Electrode
Author(s) -
Zhan Yingxin,
Li Yi,
Yang Zhi,
Wu Xiongwei,
Ge Mengzhan,
Zhou Xuemei,
Hou Junjie,
Zheng Xiannuo,
Lai Yuchong,
Pang Rongrong,
Duan Huan,
Chen Xi'an,
Nie Huagui,
Huang Shaoming
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201801663
Subject(s) - overpotential , tafel equation , electrocatalyst , catalysis , materials science , hydrogen , electrode , reversible hydrogen electrode , water splitting , auxiliary electrode , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , electrochemistry , reference electrode , organic chemistry , engineering , electrolyte , biochemistry , photocatalysis
Abstract Water splitting is considered to be a very promising alternative to greenly produce hydrogen, and the key to optimizing this process is the development of suitable electrocatalysts. Here, a sacrificial‐counter‐electrode method to synthesize a MoS x /carbon nanotubes/Pt catalyst (0.55 wt% Pt loading) is developed, which exhibits a low overpotential of 25 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 , a low Tafel slope of 27 mV dec −1 , and excellent stability under acidic conditions. The theory calculations and experimental results confirm the high hydrogen evolution activity that is likely due to the fact that the S atoms in MoS x can be substituted with O atoms during a potential cycling process when using Pt as a counter‐electrode, where the O atoms act as bridges between the catalytic PtO x particles and the MoS x support to generate a MoS x –O–PtO x structure, allowing the Pt atoms to donate more electrons thus facilitating the hydrogen evolution reaction process.