PdSn hollow alloy nanoparticles prepared by in-situ galvanic replacement process for exclusive hydrogen evolution reaction and durable electrocatalysis

Herein, a novel nanostructured hollow bimetallic alloy system is introduced as highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst to produce H2 through water splitting reaction. Hollow nanospheres of Pd1-xSnx (x = 0.0–1.0) alloy having large electrochemically active sites was developed in an autoclave by taking the advantage of different redox potentials of Pd and Sn and of auto-galvanic replacement process. Maximum synergistic electron coupling or special conjunct effects in Pd0.6Sn0.4, hollow morphology and high electrochemically active surface area (488 cm2) were accounted towards the robust electrocatalysis during hydrogen evolution reaction at a low overpotential of 68 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA/cm2 in 1.0 M H2SO4. The catalyst showed long cycling stability and extended durability at high constant current density (100 mA/cm2) anticipating negligible degradation of the catalyst. A lower Tafel slope (58 mV/dec), high exchange current density (114.63 mA/cm2), and higher mass activity demonstrated faster reaction kinetics of Pd0.6Sn0.4 electrocatalyst.