Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Derived from Polyoxotungstate/Polypyrrole/Graphene

ChemSusChem. 2017 Jun 9;10(11):2402-2407. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201700276. Epub 2017 Apr 10.

Abstract

Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water by electrocatalysis using cost-effective materials is critical to realize the clean hydrogen production. Herein, with controlling the structure and composition of polyoxotungstate/conductive polypyrrole/graphene (PCG) precursor precisely and followed by a temperature-programmed reaction, we developed a highly active and stable catalyst: NC@Wx C/NRGO (NC: nitrogen-doped porous carbon, NRGO: nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide). The composite presents splendid performance towards HER in acidic media, with a small onset overpotential of 24 mV versus RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode), a low Tafel slope of 58.4 mV dec-1 , a low overpotential of 100 mV at 10 mA cm-2 , and remarkable long-term cycle stability. This is one of the highest HER catalysts among the tungsten carbide-based materials ever reported.

Keywords: graphene; hydrogen evolution reaction; polyoxotungstate; polypyrrole; tungsten carbide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Silicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Tungsten Compounds / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Pyrroles
  • Silicon Compounds
  • Tungsten Compounds
  • polyoxotungstate PM 48
  • Water
  • tungsten carbide
  • polypyrrole
  • Graphite
  • Hydrogen