Re‐Dispersion of Platinum From CNTs Substrate to α‐MoC1 ‐ x to Boost the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

AbstractDeveloping high‐performance electrocatalysts toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is important for clean and sustainable hydrogen energy, yet still challenging. Herein, an α‐MoC1 ‐ x induced redispersing strategy to construct a superior HER electrocatalyst (Pt/CNTs‐N + α‐MoC1 ‐ x) by mechanical mixing of α‐MoC1 ‐ x with Pt/CNTs‐N followed by thermal reduction is reported. It is found that thermo‐activation treatment enables partial Pt atoms to redisperse on α‐MoC1 ‐ x substrate from carbon nanotubes, which creates dual active interfaces of Pt species dispersed over carbon nanotubes and α‐MoC1 ‐ x. Benefiting from the strong electronic interaction between the Pt atom and α‐MoC1 ‐ x, the utilization efficiency of the Pt atom and the zero‐valence state of Pt is evidently enhanced. Consequently, Pt/CNTs‐N + α‐MoC1 ‐ x catalyst exhibits excellent HER activity with low overpotentials of 17 and 34 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, respectively. Density functional theory calculations further reveal that the synergistic effect between Pt and α‐MoC1 ‐ x makes it accessible for the dissociation of water molecules and subsequent desorption of hydrogen atoms. This work reveals the crucial roles of α‐MoC1 ‐ x additives, providing practical solutions to enhance platinum dispersion, and thereby enhance the catalytic activity in HER.