Institution: | 1. Dipartimento di Chimica “G. Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Institute for Microelectronics & Microsystems (IMM)–Bologna, National Research Council (CNR), Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy;2. Dipartimento di Chimica “G. Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy;3. Dipartimento di Chimica “G. Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Interuniversity Consortium for Science & Technology of Materials–Bologna Research Unit (INSTM UdR Bologna), Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Institute for Energetics & Interphases (IENI)–National Research Council (CNR), Bologna Associate Unit, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy;4. Institute for Microelectronics & Microsystems (IMM)–Bologna, National Research Council (CNR), Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy |
Abstract: | Graphene–metal composites have potential as novel catalysts due to their unique electrical properties. Here, we report the synthesis of a composite material comprised of monodispersed platinum nanoparticles on high-quality graphene obtained by using two different exfoliation techniques. The material, prepared via an easy, low-cost and reproducible procedure, was evaluated as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The turnover frequency at zero overpotential (TOF0 in 0.1 m phosphate buffer, pH 6.8) was determined to be approximately 4600 h−1. This remarkably high value is likely due to the optimal dispersion of the platinum nanoparticles on the graphene substrate, which enables the material to be loaded with only very small amounts of the noble metal (i.e., Pt) despite the very highly active surface. This study provides a new outlook on the design of novel materials for the development of robust and scalable water-splitting devices. |