The facile synthesis of core–shell PtCu nanoparticles with superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction

Pt is the most efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); however, it is a high cost material with scarce resources. In order to balance performance and cost in a Pt-based electrocatalyst, we prepared a series of PtCu bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) with different Pt/Cu ratios through a facile synthetic strategy to optimize the utilization of Pt atoms. PtCu NPs demonstrate a uniform particle size distribution with exposed (111) facets that are highly active for the HER. A synergetic effect between Pt and Cu leads to electron transfer from Pt to Cu, which is favorable for the desorption of H intermediates. Therefore, the as-synthesized carbon black (CB) supported PtCu catalysts showed enhanced catalytic performance in the HER compared with a commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. Typically, Pt1Cu3/CB showed excellent HER performance, with only 10 mV (acid) and 17 mV (alkaline) overpotentials required to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2. This is because the Pt1Cu3 NPs, with a small average particle size (7.70 ± 0.04 nm) and Pt–Cu core and Pt-rich shell structure, display the highest electrochemically active surface area (24.7 m2 gPt−1) out of the as-synthesized PtCu/CB samples. Furthermore, Pt1Cu3/CB showed good electrocatalytic stability, with current density drops of only 9.3% and 12.8% in acidic solution after 24 h and in alkaline solution after 9 h, respectively. This study may shed new light on the rational design of active and durable hydrogen evolution catalysts with low amounts of Pt.