Enhanced hydrogen generation through electrodeposited non-precious metal Zn/Cu-BTC metal-organic frameworks on indium tin oxide

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The production of high-purity hydrogen for primary energy generation is a key goal in the renewable energy consumption model. Currently, hydrogen production through electrolysis remains quite expensive, making the development of new non-noble metal catalysts for the cathodes of acidic electrolyzers a promising strategy to lower the costs associated with this technology. In this work, Cu, Zn and Zn/Cu particles in the absence and the presence of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) have been synthesized via binder-free electrodeposition onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) surface as electrocatalysts to improve the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media. Main results highlight the fundamental role of the metal-organic framework (i.e., BTC), combined with the synergistic effect of both metal elements (i.e., Zn and Cu), in creating a uniform deposition of small crystalline particles on the ITO surface. Consequently, a low-cost and robust electrocatalyst (Zn/Cu-BTC/ITO) with enhanced catalytic performance toward the HER was synthesized. Finally, this work emphasizes how electrochemically modified surfaces, created using low-cost metals and straightforward sustainable synthesis methods, can generate atomically dispersed active sites that enhance both electrocatalytic activity and stability. This approach could contribute to the development of innovative electrodes, improving performance while reducing the cost of electrolyzers.

Source: Journal of Power Sources

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.237480

Authors: Carmen Castro-Castillo, Rodrigo Espinoza-González, Pedro P. Jofré-Ulloa, Maximina Luis-Sunga, Nataly Silva, Jonathan Suazo-Hernández, Mónica Soler, Mauricio Isaacs, Gonzalo García

Institutions: University of Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de La Laguna, Universidad del Desarrollo, Universidad de La Frontera, University of the Americas

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,230

Funders: Agenția Națională pentru Cercetare și Dezvoltare, Medical Insurance Group of Australia, Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información, Cabildo de Tenerife, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation, Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico

OpenAlex ID: W4410921006