Facile galvanic replacement method for porous Pd@Pt nanoparticles as an efficient HER electrocatalyst

In realm of renewable energy, development of an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for H-2 production through electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is indispensable. Herein, we demonstrate a simple preparation of carbon-supported nanoporous Pd with surface coated Pt (CS-PdPt) by a simple galvanic replacement reaction (GRR). The phase purity and porosity have been confirmed by XRD, HRTEM, and N-2 sorption techniques. As HER electrocatalyst, CS-PdPt showed a low overpotential of 26 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4 at current density of 10 mA cm(-2), which is lower than the commercial Pt/C electrode. The CS-PdPt catalyst exhibits an overpotential of 46 mV in 1 M KOH, and 50 mV in neutral buffer (1 M PBS) at 10 mA cm(-2). The CS-PdPt furnished with small Tafel values of 33, 88, and 107 mV dec(-1) in acidic, alkaline, and neutral medium, respectively. Accelerated durability test at 100 mV s(-1) for 1000 cycles demonstrated a negligible change in HER activity. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.