Hydrogen bonding mediated spillover enabling superior alkaline industrial-level current density hydrogen evolution

Efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media at high current densities are necessary for industrial H-2 production. Herein, the results of theoretical and experimental studies of a spillover-based low-fluorine-doped platinum nanocrystal catalyst are described. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the formation of hydrogen bonds between doped fluorine atoms and water molecules weakens the H-OH bonds, promoting water dissociation. Experimentation reveals that cooperative active sites in low-fluorine-doped platinum nanocrystals initiate the spillover of adsorbed hydrogen, proven by in situ electrochemical surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The developed catalyst exhibits excellent alkaline HER activity, with a low overpotential of 274 mV at 500 mA cm(-2) and high stability over more than 24 h at high current density. Fluorine doping can also be exploited for the post-modification of commercial Pt/C. In summary, a facile design for efficient, stable electrocatalysts is reported, paving the way toward industrial alkaline hydrogen production.