Sequential Ni-Pt Decoration on Co(OH)2 via Microwave Reduction for Highly Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A rapid solvent-free microwave-assisted strategy was developed to fabricate Pt- and Ni-modified Co(OH)2 catalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution. Among them, Ni-Pt@Co(OH)2, prepared via sequential Ni-first then Pt loading, exhibited the best performance. Structural analyses confirmed uniform Pt dispersion with dominant Pt(111) facets, while ICP-MS showed reduced Pt usage compared to Pt@Co(OH)2. Electrochemical measurements in 1.0 M KOH revealed an overpotential of 71 mV at 10 mA·cm−2, comparable to Pt/C, and a mass activity 4–6.5 times higher across 25–75 mV. EIS demonstrated lower charge-transfer resistance, and stability tests showed negligible degradation after 3000 CV cycles and 11 h continuous operation. The outstanding performance arises from enhanced Pt utilization, abundant conductive sites, and strong Ni-Pt interfacial synergy, highlighting Ni-Pt@Co(OH)2 as a promising catalyst for efficient alkaline HER with reduced Pt consumption.

Source: Nanomaterials

DOI: 10.3390/nano15241876

Authors: Luan Liu, Hongru Liu, Zikang Chen, Genghua Cao, Xiaoyu Wu, Baorui Jia, Xuanhui Qu, Mingli Qin

Institutions: University of Science and Technology Beijing, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, National University of Singapore, Liaoning Academy of Materials

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: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

OpenAlex ID: W4417317905