Three-Dimensional Stacked Graphite Sheets with Exposed Edge-Defects as Pt-Based Catalyst Support

ABSTRACT The catalytic decomposition of water molecules to generate hydrogen energy is a measure that will potentially solve the global energy crisis. Pt-based catalysts, which are advanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts, are commonly used for this process. However, the current commercial mainstream-support (Vulcan XC72R) still faces the instability caused by surface oxidation and corrosion. Therefore, in this work, we propose a high-performance support of three-dimensional graphite sheets (TDGS) and enhanced the catalytic efficiency as well as stability via molten salt method. TDGS demonstrated an unique 3D structure composed of several tiny graphitic sheets with large external pores and exposed edge-defects. To make Pt/TDGS, 5% Pt was loaded onto TDGS by the solvothermal method. First of all, Pt/TDGS delivers a current density of 45 mA•cm−2 at a potential of 400 mV (vs reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE), which is much higher than that of commercial Pt/XC72R (33.7 mA•cm−2); Secondly, edge-defects of TDGS improved the desorption efficiency of Pt for H* based on EIS and DFT calculations; Finally, Pt/TDGS shows superior stability compared with Pt/XC72R in long-term current-time (I-t) measurement.