Pt nanoparticle embedded metal-organic framework nanosheets for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution

Developing highly efficient and durable electrocatalysts for water splitting is of great significance in the broad application of hydrogen energy. Herein, a facile strategy to fabricate Pt nanoparticles embedded in two-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets on a self-supported electrode is reported. In the fabrication approach, the solvent N,N-dimethylformamide was used to in situ reduce Pt precursors to Pt nanoparticles on two-dimensional MOFs free of external reductants or capping agents. Moreover, the highly porous two-dimensional MOFs in the composite can effectively accelerate the charge and mass transfer process. Benefiting from the plenty of exposed active sites, the synergistic effect of components, and unique hierarchical structures, the obtained catalyst shows outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction activity with only 28 mV overpotential to achieve 10 mA cm-2 current density and strong durability in an alkaline electrolyte. This work provides a viable approach for the rational design of high-performance Pt-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. Pt nanoparticle-anchored metal-organic framework nanosheets on nickel foam are synthesized through a wet-chemistry method. The composite exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution reaction activity in terms of low overpotential and strong durability.