Kailong Hu1, Tatsuhiko Ohto2, Yuki Nagata3, Mitsuru Wakisaka4,5, Yoshitaka Aoki5,6, Jun-Ichi Fujita1, Yoshikazu Ito7,8. 1. Institute of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8573, Japan. 2. Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, 560-8531, Japan. ohto@molectronics.jp. 3. Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany. 4. Graduate School of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama, 939-0398, Japan. 5. PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan. 6. Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, N13W8 Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan. 7. Institute of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8573, Japan. ito.yoshikazu.ga@u.tsukuba.jp. 8. PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan. ito.yoshikazu.ga@u.tsukuba.jp.
Abstract
Graphene-covering is a promising approach for achieving an acid-stable, non-noble-metal-catalysed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Optimization of the number of graphene-covering layers and the density of defects generated by chemical doping is crucial for achieving a balance between corrosion resistance and catalytic activity. Here, we investigate the influence of charge transfer and proton penetration through the graphene layers on the HER mechanisms of the non-noble metals Ni and Cu in an acidic electrolyte. We find that increasing the number of graphene-covering layers significantly alters the HER performances of Ni and Cu. The proton penetration explored through electrochemical experiments and simulations reveals that the HER activity of the graphene-covered catalysts is governed by the degree of proton penetration, as determined by the number of graphene-covering layers.
Graphene-covering is a promising approach for achieving an acid-stable, non-noble-n class="Chemical">metal-catalysed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Optimization of the number of graphene-covering layers and the density of defects generated by chemical doping is crucial for achieving a balance between corrosion resistance and catalytic activity. Here, we investigate the influence of charge transfer and proton penetration through the graphene layers on the HER mechanisms of the non-noble metals Ni and Cu in an acidic electrolyte. We find that increasing the number of graphene-covering layers significantly alters the HER performances of Ni and Cu. The proton penetration explored through electrochemical experiments and simulations reveals that the HER activity of the graphene-covered catalysts is governed by the degree of proton penetration, as determined by the number of graphene-covering layers.
Authors: S Hu; M Lozada-Hidalgo; F C Wang; A Mishchenko; F Schedin; R R Nair; E W Hill; D W Boukhvalov; M I Katsnelson; R A W Dryfe; I V Grigorieva; H A Wu; A K Geim Journal: Nature Date: 2014-11-26 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: J Cai; E Griffin; V H Guarochico-Moreira; D Barry; B Xin; M Yagmurcukardes; S Zhang; A K Geim; F M Peeters; M Lozada-Hidalgo Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2022-10-01 Impact factor: 17.694