Quantitative evaluation of synergistic effects for Pt nanoparticles embedded in N-enriched carbon matrix as an efficient and durable catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction and their PEMWE performance

The N-enriched carbon matrix (NCS) exerts an important role in HER process. Yet, the quantitative research of such co-catalyst is quite limited, which definitely deserves our deeply investigation. Herein, we report the Pt nanoparticles embedded in N-enriched carbon matrix (Pt-NCS) with low Pt loading, which as a HER electrocatalyst in acidic electrolyte. Notably, the electrochemical tests show that the optimal Pt-NCS exhibits the low overpotential of 22.0 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2), which is lower thant that of Pt-carbon matrix (Pt-CS) (41.0 mV) and 20 wt% Pt/C (27.0 mV). It is worth noting that the addition of g-C3N4 into Pt-CS enhanced the exchange current density and a turnover frequency by 7.98 and 8.12 folds, respectively. The remarkable performance of these catalysts was evaluated with synergistic factors, which may be up to 5.55 for the optimal catalyst. More significantly, the optimal Pt-NCS also displays good stability and offers a superior performance in PEMWE. The outstanding HER performance may be attributed to the Nenriched carbon matrix, which supply large electrochemically active surface area and fast charge transfer. This research provides an effective strategy to prepare highly efficient and stable catalysts for electrochemical catalysis. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.