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Catalytic Amplification of Au 144 Nanocluster Collisions by Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Author(s) -
Zhou Min,
Wang Dengchao,
Mirkin Michael V.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201800703
Subject(s) - nanoclusters , overpotential , tafel equation , catalysis , kinetics , materials science , nanoparticle , chemistry , hydrogen , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Quantification of the charge‐transfer kinetics at single catalytic nanoparticles is both, challenging and crucial for fundamental understanding and practical application in catalysis and energy storage. We report here the quantification of catalytic activity of single Au 144 nanoclusters towards hydrogen evolution reaction in mixed organic media. The electrocatalytic amplification by the proton reduction reaction was used to detect current spikes produced by collisions of single Au 144 nanoclusters (1.6 nm in diameter) with a carbon ultramicroelectrode. Relatively short (ms‐scale) current spikes were recorded at the naturally hydrophilic carbon surface, while longer (seconds) collision current responses were observed at the hydrophobic carbon fibre electrode treated by acetone. The kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction at a single Au nanocluster was evaluated by measuring the amplitudes of current spikes at different overpotentials. The relationship between the current amplitude and the overpotential yielded a linear Tafel plot with the 114 mV/decade slope. This approach is potentially useful for quantifying the electron‐transfer kinetics at singe catalytic nanoclusters and larger nanoparticles.