Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Single-Atom Pt Doped in Ni Matrix under Strong Alkaline Condition

Abstract

Pt catalyst has been considered as the state-of-the-art catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under acid condition. However, its catalytic kinetics under alkaline conditions is not well-understood. Herein, we report a Ni–Pt(SAs) (SAs = single atoms) catalyst with Pt atomically dispersed in a Ni matrix, and it possesses an impressive HER performance with an overpotential as low as 210 mV at 500 mA cm^–2 in strong alkaline electrolyte (7 M KOH), which is much higher than Pt nanoparticle-modified Ni catalyst (Ni–Pt(NPs)). Kinetics analysis reveals that Pt doping in the Ni matrix can accelerate the Volmer step on the Ni–Pt surface. Moreover, Ni–Pt(SAs) displays a more favorable kinetics for H₂ formation reaction at high current density than Ni–Pt(NPs). Theoretical calculations reveal that atomically dispersed Pt weakens the adsorption of both H and OH on the surface of Ni–Pt electrode and promotes H₂ formation from surface H on Ni–Pt(SAs).