Stable PtNb-Nb2O5 heterostructure clusters @CC for high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution

Powerful, efficient, and corrosion-resistant electrocatalysts are in need to achieve high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution. Here, a novel strategy through strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) and incorporation of Pt to construct PtNb-Nb 2 O 5 clusters @C was developed with stable high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution property for the first time. SMSI prevents agglomeration and corrosion of nanomaterials. Pt sites were proposed to play an anabranch role by binding H⁎ to stabilize the Nb valence state and prevent water dissociation incapacitation. The optimized PtNb-Nb 2 O 5 @CC delivers low overpotentials of 440 mV (500 mA cm -2 ) and 570 mV (1000 mA cm -2 ) in neutral seawater and has 360 h excellent durability at 500 mA cm -2 . In-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in-situ Raman spectroscopies and theoretical calculations supported the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism. PtNb-Nb 2 O 5 heterogeneous interface provided more active sites for water dissociation. OH ⁎ adsorbed on Nb sites in stable Nb 2 O 5 , and H⁎ adsorbed on Nb sites and desorbed as H 2 on Pt sites in stable PtNb. Overall, this work not only first achieves stable high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution property, but also opens a new opportunity to explore SMSI and incorporation of Pt to prevent agglomeration, corrosion, and water dissociation incapacitation for catalytic applications under high current densities. A novel strategy through strong metal-support interaction and incorporation of Pt to construct stable PtNb-Nb 2 O 5 heterostructure clusters @C was proposed, and achieved stable high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution property for the first time. In-situ FTIR, in-situ Raman characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that PtNb-Nb 2 O 5 heterogeneous interface provides more active sites for water dissociation. OH⁎ adsorbed on Nb sites in stable Nb 2 O 5 , and H⁎ adsorbed on Nb sites and desorbed as H 2 on Pt sites in stable PtNb. Pt sites play an anabranch role by binding H⁎ to stabilize the Nb valence state and prevent water dissociation incapacitation. • A novel strategy through strong metal-support interaction and incorporation of Pt was proposed. • This strategy can prevent agglomeration, corrosion and water dissociation incapacitation. • PtNb-Nb 2 O 5 clusters @C was synthesized by solvent-free microwave method. • Stable high-current-density neutral seawater hydrogen evolution property was achieved. • In-situ characterizations and theoretical calculations demonstrate the reaction mechanism.