Preparation of PtAuFe/C composite catalyst and performance for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

In this paper, PtAuFe/C composite catalyst and Pt/C catalyst are prepared by sodium borohydride direct reduction method. The physical properties of the catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance of the prepared catalysts is tested by linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) in H2SO4 solution. The results show that the PtAuFe/C composite catalyst has larger specific surface area, smaller overpotential, higher polarization current density and better stability than that of the Pt/C catalyst. The hydrogen evolution mechanism of PtAuFe/C composite catalyst is determined by Tafel curve, and the results show that PtAuFe/C composite catalyst is of composite desorption mechanism. In addition, the effect of temperature and electrolyte concentration on the performance of PtAuFe/C composite catalyst is also studied.