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Hydrogen evolution by a metal-free electrocatalyst

Author

Listed:
  • Yao Zheng

    (School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide
    Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland)

  • Yan Jiao

    (School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide)

  • Yihan Zhu

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • Lu Hua Li

    (Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University)

  • Yu Han

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • Ying Chen

    (Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University)

  • Aijun Du

    (School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology)

  • Mietek Jaroniec

    (Kent State University)

  • Shi Zhang Qiao

    (School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide)

Abstract

Electrocatalytic reduction of water to molecular hydrogen via the hydrogen evolution reaction may provide a sustainable energy supply for the future, but its commercial application is hampered by the use of precious platinum catalysts. All alternatives to platinum thus far are based on nonprecious metals, and, to our knowledge, there is no report about a catalyst for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution beyond metals. Here we couple graphitic-carbon nitride with nitrogen-doped graphene to produce a metal-free hybrid catalyst, which shows an unexpected hydrogen evolution reaction activity with comparable overpotential and Tafel slope to some of well-developed metallic catalysts. Experimental observations in combination with density functional theory calculations reveal that its unusual electrocatalytic properties originate from an intrinsic chemical and electronic coupling that synergistically promotes the proton adsorption and reduction kinetics.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao Zheng & Yan Jiao & Yihan Zhu & Lu Hua Li & Yu Han & Ying Chen & Aijun Du & Mietek Jaroniec & Shi Zhang Qiao, 2014. "Hydrogen evolution by a metal-free electrocatalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4783
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4783
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Zhenlu & Wu, Haoxi & Li, Chuanping, 2021. "Engineering iron phosphide-on-plasmonic Ag/Au-nanoshells as an efficient cathode catalyst in water splitting for hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Munonde, Tshimangadzo S. & Zheng, Haitao & Matseke, Mphoma S. & Nomngongo, Philiswa N. & Wang, Yi & Tsiakaras, Panagiotis, 2020. "A green approach for enhancing the electrocatalytic activity and stability of NiFe2O4/CB nanospheres towards hydrogen production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 704-714.
    3. Yang Gao & Yurui Xue & Lu Qi & Chengyu Xing & Xuchen Zheng & Feng He & Yuliang Li, 2022. "Rhodium nanocrystals on porous graphdiyne for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution from saline water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Qahtan, Talal F. & Alade, Ibrahim O. & Rahaman, Md Safiqur & Saleh, Tawfik A., 2023. "Mapping the research landscape of hydrogen production through electrocatalysis: A decade of progress and key trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Wei Wang & Qun Song & Qiang Luo & Linqian Li & Xiaobing Huo & Shipeng Chen & Jinyang Li & Yunhong Li & Se Shi & Yihui Yuan & Xiwen Du & Kai Zhang & Ning Wang, 2023. "Photothermal-enabled single-atom catalysts for high-efficiency hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis from natural seawater," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Shaik Gouse Peera & Ravindranadh Koutavarapu & Chao Liu & Gaddam Rajeshkhanna & Arunchander Asokan & Ch. Venkata Reddy, 2021. "Cobalt Nanoparticle-Embedded Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalyst Derived from a Solid-State Metal-Organic Framework Complex for OER and HER Electrocatalysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, March.
    7. Fanpeng Cheng & Xianyun Peng & Lingzi Hu & Bin Yang & Zhongjian Li & Chung-Li Dong & Jeng-Lung Chen & Liang-Ching Hsu & Lecheng Lei & Qiang Zheng & Ming Qiu & Liming Dai & Yang Hou, 2022. "Accelerated water activation and stabilized metal-organic framework via constructing triangular active-regions for ampere-level current density hydrogen production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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