Toward feasible single atom-based hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts via artificial ensemble sites for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer

Abstract

Approaching an efficient anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) with satisfactorily high ki-netics in the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is desired. We design an advanced platinum (Pt) single atom (SA)-based electrocatalyst by incorporating the Ni nanoparticle as an artificial ensemble site adjacent to Pt SA. The designed Pt SA electrocatalyst achieves higher areal current density (500 mA cm-2 at 1.8 V) in the single cell of the AEMWE and better cell voltage stability than the Pt/C electrocatalyst. The Ni nanoparticle assists in separating the binding sites of H* and OH*, in which Ni atoms provide adsorption sites for H*, while OH* adsorbs on the Pt SA. This separation effect drastically accelerates the energy barrier required for the water dissociation reaction in the Volmer step and simultaneously optimizes the H* and OH* binding energy, which extremely enhances the alkaline HER kinetics, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of Pt SA electrocatalysts for AEMWE.