Synthesis of SnO 2 Nanostructures and Their Application for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

SnO 2 hierarchical architectures were synthesized with a surfactant-free hydrothermal synthesis route. We found that the acid or alkaline amount (HCl or NaOH) of the solution had a remarkable effect on the morphology of as-synthesized products. The SnO 2 nanostructures were selected as a support of Pt catalyst (Pt/SnO 2 ) for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the acidic media. The influence of SnO 2 morphologies on the electrochemical performance has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweeping voltammetry using the rotating disk electrodes. In addition, the effect on the catalytic activity in different electrolyte concentration was taken into account. Kinetic study shows that the HER on the Pt/SnO 2 (flower) electrocatalyst gives a higher exchange current density and a lower overpotential in H 2 SO 4 solution with high concentration. Graphical Abstract Tunable synthesis of SnO2nanostructures has been achieved via hydrothermal method without using any surfactants. The SnO2nanostructures have been used as multidimensional frame for loading Pt nanoparticles for hydrogen evolution reaction.