Bio‐Inspired Superhydrophilic Self‐Assembled Coronavirus‐Like Pt‐WC/CNT for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

AbstractThis study presents a novel approach to enhance the catalytic activity of composite materials by promoting active surface exposure and improving hydrogen transfer performance. Through a self‐assembly route involving tailored gas‐solid and galvanic replacement reactions, Pt‐WC/CNT catalysts with superhydrophilicity and coronavirus‐like structure are synthesized. These unique structural features contribute to a remarkable enhancement in the electrocatalytic performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Notably, the Pt‐WC/CNT catalyst exhibits an outstanding intrinsic activity and efficient bubble transfer properties, leading to a high turnover frequency of 34.97 H2·s−1 at an overpotential of 100 mV. This value is 4.8 times higher than that achieved by commercial Pt/C catalysts (7.30 H2·s−1), establishing Pt‐WC/CNT as one of the most active catalysts reported to date. Moreover, the combination of gas‐solid and galvanic replacement reactions in the synthesis process offers a scalable route for the production of Pt‐loading controllable composite catalysts, thus challenging the dominance of commercial Pt/C catalysts.