Metal support effects in electrocatalysis at hexagonal boron nitride. Issue 5 (17th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Dan-Qing; Tao, Binglin; Ruan, Hong-Cheng; Bentley, Cameron L.; Unwin, Patrick R.
• Is Part Of: Chemical communications. Volume 55:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 628
• Page End: 631
• Publication Date: 2018-12-17
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c8cc08517j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-7345

Abstract

Abstract : The metal support of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets has a significant effect on the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, as visualized by scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Abstract : A scanning electrochemical droplet cell technique has been employed to screen the intrinsic electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets supported on different metal substrates (Cu and Au). Local (spatially-resolved) voltammetry and Tafel analysis reveal that electronic interaction with the underlying metal substrate plays a significant role in modulating the electrocatalytic activity of h-BN, with Au-supported h-BN exhibiting significantly enhanced HER charge-transfer kinetics (exchange current is ca. two orders of magnitude larger) compared to Cu-supported h-BN, making the former material the superior support in a catalytic sense.