Plasma-synthesized platinum single atom and nanoparticle catalysts for high-current-density hydrogen evolution

Green hydrogen is the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water with renewable energy, which is an ideal form of hydrogen energy generation with zero carbon emissions. Platinum (Pt)-based catalysts have the highest catalytic efficiencies, but their application is limited by the high price and low reserves of Pt. Therefore, developing high-performance catalysts with low platinum loadings is a desirable way to reduce the cost of hydrogen production. Single atom platinum can achieve 100 % atomic utilization, but does not perform well at high current density. Here, we synthesized a catalyst composed of platinum single atoms and nanoparticles by nonthermal plasma technique. The catalyst exhibits an overpotential of 18, 89 and 130 mV at a current density of 10, 300 and 1000 mA cm(-2), respectively. This performance far exceeds that of the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C and the loading is only one tenth (1.89 wt%). Nonthermal plasma technique offers an effective means to promote the synthesis of high-current hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts with low costs and the development of their industrialization.

Automated summary

Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy, thereby generating hydrogen with zero carbon emissions. Platinum-based catalysts are highly efficient, but limited by their high price and low availability. Researchers have synthesized a catalyst combining platinum single atoms and nanoparticles using nonthermal plasma technique, which exhibits excellent performance at high current density and a significantly lower loading compared to commercial catalysts. This technique offers a low-cost and efficient method to synthesize high-current hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts, promoting their industrial development.