Hydrogen Bubble-Assisted Electrodeposition of Metal Nanoparticles from Protic Ionic Liquids for Electrocatalysis

A facile hydrogen evolution-assisted electrodeposition method is proposed for fabrication of metal nanoparticles from protic ionic liquids with high electrocatalytic activity. The controlled evolution of hydrogen bubbles functions as physical spacers to prevent aggregation of nanoparticles. Uniform silver, palladium, and nickel nanoparticles with high surface area have been generated and used as catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions with enhanced performance.