TiO₂ Nanotubes Supported PtO_x Nanoclusters with Enhanced Mass Activity for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Abstract Developing proper supports to enhance Pt mass activity is crucial for the practical application of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, TiO 2 nanotubes (TNTs) support is fabricated via anodizing Ti foil and loaded with PtO x nanoclusters using a facile photo‐deposition method. The formation of PtO x was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Interestingly, the TNTs supported PtO x (Ti/TNTs/PtO x ) electrocatalyst showed superior activity towards HER than the benchmark Pt/C and TiO 2 nanoparticles (TNPs) supported PtO x electrocatalysts. An overpotential of −30 mV was sufficient to deliver −10 mA cm −2 from the acidic medium. The electrocatalytic mass activity of Ti/TNTs/PtO x (i. e. 204 mA mg −1 ) is enhanced by 12 and 1.7‐fold in comparison with those of Pt/C and TNPs supported PtO x electrocatalysts, respectively. The superior activity of Ti/TNTs/PtO x is mainly due to its large electrochemical active surface area and the excellent electron mobility in TNTs support.