Carbon-Defect-Driven Electroless Deposition of Pt Atomic Clusters for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b11524
• Publication Date: 2020-02-23T16:18:41Z
• Authors: Qingqing Cheng; Chuangang Hu; Guoliang Wang; Zhiqing Zou; Hui Yang; Liming Dai
• Keywords: Carbon fibers

Pt atomic clusters (Pt-ACs) display outstanding electrocatalytic performance because of their unique electronic structure with a large number highly exposed surface atoms. However, the small size and specific area intrinsically associated ACs pose challenges in synthesis stabilization Pt-ACs without agglomeration. Herein, we report novel one-step carbon-defect-driven electroless deposition method to produce ultrasmall but well-defined stable supported by defective graphene (Pt-AC/DG) structures. A theoretical simulation clearly revealed that regions lower work function hence higher reducing capacity compared those normal hexagonal sites triggered reduction ions preferentially at defect sites. Moreover, strong binding energy between carbon defects effectively restricted migration spontaneously reduced atoms immobilize/stabilize resultant Pt-ACs. Electrochemical analyses demonstrated high catalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction, showing greatly enhanced mass activity, utilization efficiency, excellent stability commercial Pt/C catalysts. The integration proton exchange membrane water electrolysis Pt-AC/DG as cathode exhibited an generation activity extraordinary (during 200 h electrolysis) usage