Hydrogen evolving electrode with low Pt loading fabricated by repeated pulse electrodeposition

Abstract

Reducing the Pt loading amount in an electrode is essential for the commercialization of water electrolyzers. We report a simple method for the fabrication of a low Pt loading electrode, using an electrochemical method named self-terminated electrodeposition, at room temperature and under ambient pressure. Controlling the deposition conditions enables the quenching deposition of Pt on a C-coated gas diffusion layer by H passivation at a highly negative potential. Repeating deposition pulses facilitate the facile control of the Pt surface composition and electrochemical surface area, which significantly affects their catalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The results presented show that the aforementioned Pt electrode can be a promising cathode for use in membrane-based water electrolyzers.