Collaborative coupling catalytic interface enabling efficient hydrogen evolution in universal-pH electrolytes and seawater

Abstract

Developing particularly effective and synergistic non-noble metal electrocatalysts for complex chemical processes remains an enormous challenge. Herein, the collaborative catalytic interface among rare earth compounds, bimetallic carbide, and N-doped carbon is demonstrated to accelerate the hydrogen evolution process in acid-base electrolytes and seawater. Therefore, the HER performance of the resultant electrocatalyst in both 1.0 M KOH and 0.5 M H2SO4 with the overpotentials of 70 and 79 mV, to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2. In addition, they also show excellent performance of HER in natural seawater and have good characteristics in catalytic activity and stability, which is reflected in the slight decrease of activity after the 5000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycle and almost no attenuation after electrolysis for 10 h. This work will pave a new way for collaborative coupling interface catalysis strategy to boost electrocatalytic hydrogen production in acidic, alkaline, and seawater.