Hydrogen-evolution-reaction kinetics pH dependence: Is it covered?

Writing in Joule , Surendranath and coworkers report intrinsic hydrogen-evolution-reaction activity and kinetic parameters for Pt and Au electrodes using "innocent” buffers that don’t substantially affect electrode kinetics. A pH- and potential-dependent coverage of metal-H species is proposed to modulate apparent activity, findings that are important for a range of electrochemical technologies. Writing in Joule, Surendranath and coworkers report intrinsic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and kinetic parameters for Pt and Au electrodes by using “innocent” buffers that substantially affect kinetics. A pH and potential-dependent coverage of M-H species is proposed, with effects on the activity of HER affecting a range of important technologies.