PtZn@CN/CC derived from ZIF–86 for high‐performance hydrogen evolution in acid and alkaline electrolyte

Abstract Background The high cost and scarcity of Pt metal limit the large‐scale applicability of the excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst. Objective The current study aims to generate high‐performance HER electrodes with low Pt content. Methods Nitrogen‐doped carbon support has been produced via hydrothermal and calcination treatments of ZIF‐8 precursor. By applying drop coating, a CN/CC electrode support is fabricated before it is further decorated with Pt nanoparticles to afford a PtZn@CN/CC composite electrode through a cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. Results In 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 at room temperature, the electrode achieves an HER overpotential of 74 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm –2 . When the electrolyte is 1 M KOH, the electrode functions even more favorably with an overpotential of 55 mV under the same experimental conditions. The HER performance increases with a gain in temperature. At 80°C, alkaline overpotential of the electrode becomes 29 mV, much superior to the 20% Pt/C/CC electrode. Conclusion The study paves the method of feasibly constructing a high‐performance HER electrode with low Pt content. This composite electrode imparts synergistic effects between PtZn nanoparticles and CN support that enhance the electrochemically active surface area while reducing the reaction impedance to provide outstanding hydrogen evolution performance.