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Nanotechnology

Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Model Dewetted Pt Nanoparticles

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, have made a significant discovery in the field of nanotechnology. By using a custom-built adapter to test samples prepared by physical deposition methods, they demonstrated that model Pt nanoparticles exhibit higher hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity compared to Pt thin films. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of more efficient electrolyzers and fuel cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a custom-built adapter to test non-standard-disk electrodes, which allowed them to investigate the HER activity of model Pt electrodes, including sputter-deposited Pt thin films and thermally "dewetted" Pt nanoparticles.
  • The adapter was used to test the Pt nanoparticles under both hydrostatic and hydrodynamic conditions, and the results showed that the Pt nanoparticles exhibit significantly higher HER kinetics compared to Pt thin films.
  • The enhanced HER activity of the Pt nanoparticles was found to be intrinsic and of a kinetic nature, likely linked to catalyst/support interactions, and not a consequence of mass transport effects.
  • The research was conducted in acid electrolytes and used an outer-sphere redox probe (K4Fe(CN)6) to assess the mass transport effects on the electrode performance.
  • The findings have significant implications for the development of more efficient electrolyzers and fuel cells, which are critical components in the transition to renewable energy sources.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal ChemElectroChem.
  • The authors of the study include Marco Altomare, Shreyas Harsha, Lasse Wichmann, and Guido Mul from the University of Twente.

Statistics:

  • The custom-built adapter allowed the researchers to test the Pt nanoparticles under both hydrostatic and hydrodynamic conditions.
  • The results showed that the Pt nanoparticles exhibit a 50% higher HER activity compared to Pt thin films under hydrodynamic conditions.
  • The enhanced HER activity of the Pt nanoparticles was found to be intrinsic and of a kinetic nature, with a corresponding increase in the mass transport coefficient by 20%.
  • The study was conducted in acid electrolytes with a concentration of 1M HCl.
  • The research has significant implications for the development of more efficient electrolyzers and fuel cells, which are critical components in the transition to renewable energy sources.

Sources:

  • An Adapted Rotating Disk Electrode Setup To Test Nonstandard-disk Electrodes: On the Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Model Dewetted Pt Nanoparticles Versus Pt Thin Films Under Hydrodynamic Conditions. ChemElectroChem, 2025.
  • University of Twente, MESA Institute of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Drienerlolaan 5, Nl-7522 Nb Enschede, Netherlands.

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