Interface Engineering Induced Electron Redistribution at Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns Interfaces for Promoting pH-Universal and Chloride-Tolerant Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Exploring highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts for large-scale water electrolysis in the full potential of hydrogen (pH) range is highly desirable, but it remains a significant challenge. Herein, a simple pathway is proposed to synthesize a hybrid electrocatalyst by decorating small metallic platinum (Pt) nanosheets on a large nickel telluride nanosheet (termed as Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns). The as-prepared Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns catalyst only requires overpotentials of 72, 162, and 65 mV to reach a high current density of 200 mA cm(-2) in alkaline, neutral and acidic conditions, respectively. Theoretical calculations reveal that the combination of metallic Pt and NiTe-Ns subtly modulates the electronic redistribution at their interface, improves the charge-transfer kinetics, and enhances the performance of Ni active sites. The synergy between the Pt site and activated Ni site near the interface in Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns promotes the sluggish water-dissociation kinetics and optimizes the subsequent oxyhydrogen/hydrogen intermediates (OH*/H*) adsorption, accelerating the HER process. Additionally, the superhydrophilicity and superaerophobicity of Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns facilitate the mass transfer process and ensure the rapid desorption of generated bubbles, significantly enhancing overall alkaline water/saline water/seawater electrolysis catalytic activity and stability.

Automated summary

Exploring efficient HER electrocatalysts for water electrolysis in the full potential of hydrogen range is challenging. The authors propose a simple synthesis method to produce a hybrid electrocatalyst (Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns) by decorating small Pt nanosheets on large NiTe nanosheets. The Pt-Ns/NiTe-Ns catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity and stability in alkaline, neutral, and acidic conditions due to the synergistic effect between Pt and activated Ni at the interface.