Platinum Single Atoms Supported on Nanoarray-Structured Nitrogen-Doped Graphite Foil with Enhanced Catalytic Performance for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Platinum-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) are among the most promising candidates for the practical applications of electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but their catalytic efficiency remains to be further enhanced. Herein, a well-designed nanoarray-structured nitrogen-doped graphite foil (NNGF) substrate is introduced to support Pt SACs in Pt-N₄ construction (Pt₁/NNGF) for HER. Within NNGF, the constructed nanoarray-structured surficial layer for supporting Pt SACs could enhance the exposure of active sites to the electrolyte and improve the reaction and diffusion kinetics; meanwhile, the retained graphite structures in bulk NNGF provide not only the required electrical conductivity but also the mechanical stability and flexibility. Because of such double-layer structures of NNGF, stable Pt-N₄ construction, and binder-free advantages, the Pt₁/NNGF electrode exhibits a low overpotential of 0.023 V at 10 mA cm^-2 and a small Tafel slope of 29.1 mV dec^-1 as well as an excellent long-term durability.