The design and synthesis of Pt-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are of great importance for the successful development of hydrogen-based alternative energy technologies. Although Pt is considered to be the most active catalyst for the HER, its reaction performance is limited in alkaline solutions owing to a slow rate for water dissociation. Therefore, many research groups have intensively investigated reaction mechanisms and developed system designs and efficient Pt-based catalysts to enhance the alkaline HER. Herein, we summarize the catalytic surface specificity of Pt and Pt-Ni(OH)2 materials to control the kinetics of the alkaline HER. In particular, we increase our understanding of Ni(OH)2 -modified Pt surfaces and the corresponding nanoscaled Pt-Ni(OH)2 electrocatalysts to improve the sluggish water-dissociation step, and this knowledge will guide us to future sustainable energy applications of advanced nanomaterials.
Keywords: bifunctional catalysts; electrolytes; hydrogen; nickel; platinum.
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