Understanding Cation Trends for Hydrogen Evolution on Platinum and Gold Electrodes in Alkaline Media.

ABSTRACT: In this work, we study how the cation identity and concentration alter the kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on platinum and gold electrodes. A previous work suggested an inverted activity trend as a function of alkali metal cation when comparing the performance of platinum and gold catalysts in alkaline media. We show that weakly hydrated cations (K⁺) favor HER on gold only at low overpotentials (or lower alkalinity), whereas in more alkaline pH (or high overpotentials), a higher activity is observed using electrolytes containing strongly hydrated cations (Li⁺). We find a similar trend for platinum; however, the inhibition of HER by weakly hydrated cations on platinum is observed already at lower alkalinity and lower cation concentrations, suggesting

SUBMITTER: Monteiro MCO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8650008 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature