Electrically conducting palladium selenide (Pd₄Se, Pd₁₇Se₁₅, Pd₇Se₄) phases: synthesis and activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Electrically conducting, continuous films of different phases of palladium selenides are synthesized by the thermolysis of single source molecular precursors. The films are found to be adherent on flat substrates such as glass, indium tin oxide and glassy carbon and are stable under electrochemical conditions. They are electrocatalytically active and in particular, for hydrogen evolution reaction. Catalytic activities with low Tafel slopes of 50-60 mV per decade are observed.