Enhanced kinetic isotope effect in the hydrogen evolution reaction with single-walled carbon nanotube-confined Pt catalyst under acidic and alkaline conditions

Abstract The kinetics of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is essential in the electrochemical field. A single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-confined Pt catalyst (Pt@SWCNT) was prepared and its kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of HER under acidic and alkaline conditions at 20℃ to 50℃ was investigated. Pt@SWCNT gave KIE values of 2.74 in H2SO4/D2SO4 and 10.7 in potassium hydroxide (KOH)/potassium deuteroxide (KOD) at −50 mV overpotential, higher than that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst under alkaline conditions. This work can guide the screening of practical catalysts for H2 production and hydrogen isotope separation.