Pt/Co3O4 Surpasses Benchmark Pt/C: An Approach Toward Next Generation Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalyst

Abstract

Rational design of composite hybrid structures tuned in atomic level interaction can circumvent the instability of the water splitting catalysts. Here, low-temperature aqueous phase synthesis of a hybrid hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst made of a few nanometer Pt clusters anchored on Co3O4 nanosheets with remarkable stability and superiority over the state-of-the-art Pt/C is achieved. Manipulation of cluster binding energy to support material gives rise to superior activity (3.8 times) and extraordinarily enhanced durability. Pt/Co3O4 composite achieved current densities of 10 and 50 mA/cm2 at overpotentials as low as of 70 and 170 mV, respectively. A combinatorial approach of theory and experiment opens an avenue to design HER catalyst beyond Pt/C.