Hybrid NiCo hydrogen carbonate with Pt nanoparticles on nickel foam for alkaline water hydrogen evolution.

Developing novel catalysts with high efficiency and low cost for electrochemical hydrogen production is of great significance for sustainable energy applications. Herein, we present the exploratory research on nickel foam supported heterostructures of NiCo hydrogen carbonate (Ni 0.6 Co 0.4 (HCO 3) 2) with Pt nanoparticles on the surface for alkaline water hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The heterogeneous engineering ensures effective synergism of moderate hydrogen adsorption energy, accelerated catalysis kinetics, improved active sites, and enhanced charge transfer, thus inducing excellent HER activity (56 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for geometric area and 15 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for electrochemical surface area) and stable durability. Notably, the mass activity of Pt in Pt–Ni 0.6 Co 0.4 (HCO 3) 2 is even higher than that of Pt/C. This study provides new insights into developing high-efficiency catalysts for hydrogen electrocatalysis, which also demonstrates that hydrogen carbonates are promising alternatives for electrochemical water splitting in addition to the widely focused transition metal hydroxides and oxides. • Ni 0.6 Co 0.4 (HCO 3) 2 is firstly hybridized with Pt for improved HER. • The electronic interaction moderates the hydrogen adsorption energy on Pt. • The intrinsic HER activity is activated. • Improved active sites density and enhanced charge transfer are acquired. • The mass activity of Pt in composite catalyst is higher than that of Pt/C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]