Fast synthesis of Pt single-atom catalyst with high intrinsic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction by plasma sputtering. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Yexing; Yu, Lele; Zhuang, Chunqiang; Zhang, Guizhen; Sun, Shaorui
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 22(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Electrocatalysis -- Noble metal catalyst -- Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution -- Turnover frequency; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2021.100877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: Platinum-based materials are identified as the most effective electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media. However, the scarcity and high cost of platinum (Pt) have limited its wide application. Therefore, catalysts with low loading but high intrinsic activity can promote the wide application of Pt. In this work, we creatively applied plasma sputtering to deposit Pt single atoms on TiO2−X as an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst. The catalyst shows high intrinsic activity and superior stability in acid media, with high turnover frequency (38.9H2 s −1 ) and mass-specific activity (39.1 A/mg Pt) at 50 mV (vs. RHE) overpotential in 0.5 M H2 SO4 that are respectively 3.3 and 11.04 times greater than those of the commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst. In particular, the plasma sputtering method used in this work can shorten the synthesis period of the catalyst to 'minutes' or even 'seconds.' This work provides guidance and inspiration for the fast synthesis of catalysts with high intrinsic activity for various applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Effective combination of plasma sputtering method and ultra-fast synthesis of single-atom catalysts. Shorten the synthesis period of the catalyst to 'minutes' or even 'seconds.' Synthesis of a new environmentally friendly platinum-based single-atom catalyst with high intrinsic activity. Improved the degree of dispersion and atom utilization efficiency of the supported metal in the catalyst. Provide guidance and inspiration for the fast and environmentally friendly synthesis of similar catalysts.