Ultrathin PdTe nanowires anchoring reduced graphene oxide cathodes for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

The design and synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction under all pH conditions is extremely desirable but still remains a challenge. Here a facile method to decorate PdTe nanowires on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (PdTe NWs/rGO) has been developed. As a robust integrated 2D hydrogen-evolving cathode catalyst, the Pd3.02Te NWs/rGO shows a low onset potential of −7 mV and maintains its catalytic activity for at least 48 h in alkaline media. It requires overpotentials (η) of 97 and 355 mV to afford current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. The Pd3.02Te NWs/rGO also exhibits a high activity and excellent durability in acidic media.