Enhanced hydrogen production via coupled methanol oxidation reaction using Pt nanowires as bifunctional electrocatalysts

The substitution of oxygen evolution reaction with a thermodynamically favorable small molecule oxidation reaction offers a compelling pathway toward efficient and energy-conserving production of clean hydrogen fuel. Here, we report the rational design and synthesis of ultra-long Pt nanowires (NWs) featuring specific crystal facets, which act as bifunctional electrocatalysts for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) under alkaline electrolyte. Pt NWs exhibited remarkable performance, requiring only 0.61 V to obtain 10 mA cm-2 when coupling HER with MOR, substantially lower than the 1.76 V demanded for traditional water splitting. The excellent HER and MOR performance could be primarily attributed to the unique one-dimensional structural characteristics, distinctive crystal facets, and increased specific surface area of the Pt NWs. This research underscores the significance of developing bifunctional electrocatalysts, thereby contributing to the ongoing efforts to advance efficient and energy-conserving hydrogen production.