Correlating the hydrogen evolution reaction activity in alkaline electrolytes with the hydrogen binding energy on monometallic surfaces

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2013 · Energy & Environmental Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ee00045a· OSTI ID:1211252

Sheng, WC; Myint, M; Chen, JGG; Yan, YS

The slow reaction kinetics of the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR) on platinum in alkaline electrolytes hinders the development of alkaline electrolysers, solar hydrogen cells and alkaline fuel cells. A fundamental understanding of the exchange current density of the HER/HOR in alkaline media is critical for the search and design of highly active electrocatalysts. By studying the HER on a series of monometallic surfaces, we demonstrate that the HER exchange current density in alkaline solutions can be correlated with the calculated hydrogen binding energy (HBE) on the metal surfaces via a volcano type of relationship. The HER activity varies by several orders of magnitude from Pt at the peak of the plot to W and Au located on the bottom of each side of the plot, similar to the observation in acids. Such a correlation suggests that the HBE can be used as a descriptor for identifying electrocatalysts for HER/HOR in alkaline media, and that the HER exchange current density can be tuned by modifying the surface chemical properties.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
• DOE Contract Number: AR0000009
• OSTI ID: 1211252
• Journal Information: Energy & Environmental Science, Journal Name: Energy & Environmental Science Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 6; ISSN 1754-5692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English