Electronic Optimization By Coupling Feco Nanoclusters And Pt Nanoparticles To Carbon Nanotubes For Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Enriching catalytic active sites and optimizing the electronic structure to facilitate charge transfer are strategies that would make the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) more effective. Here, we report the synthesis of N-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) with confined FeCo nanoclusters and Pt nanoparticles (Pt/FeCo@NCNT). This hybrid material allows synergy between an active structure and a strong electronic interaction. The catalyst requires only 0.3 wt % Pt, and it can achieve a low overpotential of 14 mV at 10 mA cm(-2). Its Tafel slope of 31 mV dec(-1) and a high mass activity of 47 A mg(Pt)(-1) at 50 mV are superior to those of commercial Pt/C catalyst with 67 times higher Pt loading. The predominant HER performance of the Pt/FeCo@NCNT is mainly ascribed to the strong mutual electronic structure of FeCo and Pt coupled to the NCNT. This work provides a new venue for electronic modulation in other energy-related applications.