Stable PtNb-Nb2O5 heterostructure clusters @CC for high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Powerful, efficient, and corrosion-resistant electrocatalysts are in need to achieve high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution. Here, a novel strategy through strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) and incorporation of Pt to construct PtNb-Nb2O5 clusters @C was developed with stable high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution property for the first time. SMSI prevents agglomeration and corrosion of nanomaterials. Pt sites were proposed to play an anabranch role by binding H* to stabilize the Nb valence state and prevent water dissociation incapacitation. The optimized PtNb-Nb2O5 @CC delivers low overpotentials of 440 mV (500 mA cm−2) and 570 mV (1000 mA cm−2) in neutral seawater and has 360 h excellent durability at 500 mA cm−2. In-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in-situ Raman spectroscopies and theoretical calculations supported the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism. PtNb-Nb2O5 heterogeneous interface provided more active sites for water dissociation. OH* adsorbed on Nb sites in stable Nb2O5, and H* adsorbed on Nb sites and desorbed as H2 on Pt sites in stable PtNb. Overall, this work not only first achieves stable high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution property, but also opens a new opportunity to explore SMSI and incorporation of Pt to prevent agglomeration, corrosion, and water dissociation incapacitation for catalytic applications under high current densities.