PdCu bimetallic nanoparticles decorated on ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15)/MWCNTs as superior electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

In the present study, a novel electrocatalyst with excellent catalytic performance based on PdCu bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) supported on ordered mesoporous silica and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PdCu NPs/SBA-15-MWCNT) was prepared for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). For this purpose, low-cost mesoporous SBA-15 was synthesized using silica extracted from Stem Sweep Ash (SSA) as an economically attractive silica source. Mesoporous SBA-15 with unparalleled porous structure is a stable support for PdCu bimetallic NPs which prevents the accumulation of PdCu bimetallic NPs and improves its efficiency in the catalytic process. The main advantage of this strategy is low loading of bimetallic catalyst with high catalytic activity. The presence of both mesoporous SBA-15 and MWCNTs materials in PdCu/SBA15-MWCNTs/carbon paste electrode (CPE) increases the metallic active sites and the electrical conductivity of electrode which provides great performance for HER. PdCu/SBA15-MWCNTs-CPE provided small Tafel slope(45 mV dec(-1)), low onset potential (similar to-150 mV), high current density (-165.24 mA cm(-2) at -360 mV) and exchange current density (2.51 mA cm(-2)) with great durability for HER in H2SO4 solution. Analysis of kinetic data suggests that the electrocatalyst controls HER by the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. In addition, studies showed that the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in electrolyte can decrease the potential of HER and increase the current density. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The novel electrocatalyst based on PdCu bimetallic nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous silica and multi-walled carbon nanotubes showed excellent catalytic performance for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. The use of mesoporous SBA-15 and MWCNTs as supports enhanced the efficiency of the catalytic process, providing a low loading of bimetallic catalyst with high catalytic activity.