Hydrogen Evolution and Corrosion Behaviors of Cu/Co-pt as an Effective Electrocatalyst

Abstract

It is difficult to manufacture a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst with high corrosion resistance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. In this study, a Cu/Co-Pt electrocatalyst with high characteristic hydrogen evolution, stability, and high corrosion resistance is designed. Copper was first coated with a thin film of cobalt (Cu/Co) then this surface is modified with trace amounts of platinum nanoparticles (Cu/Co-Pt). Cu/Co-Pt displays very high exchange current density (8.03 mA cm-2) when compared to literature. Hydrogen adsorption onset potential (Eonset) and charge transfer resistance (Rct) are found to be 1.03 V and 0.34 Ω cm2 at -1.35 V, respectively. Cu/Co-Pt also shows very stable catalytic performance with chronoamperometry (CA) and cyclic tests. In addition to HER performance of Cu/Co-Pt, semi logarithmic anodic current-potential curves and EIS are used to determine the corrosion behavior of Cu/Co-Pt. This electrocatalyst has very high polarization resistance (Rp) values over time in a strong alkaline environment. This high protection may due to the passive layer resulting from platinum nanoparticles formed on the surface. This study contains valuable information on the preparation of electrocatalysts in a facile method that are highly efficient, stable and resistant to strong alkaline environments for commercial applications.