Intermetallic Cu <sub>5</sub> Zr Clusters Anchored on Hierarchical Nanoporous Copper as Efficient Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Hang Shi, Yitong Zhou, Ruiqi Yao, Wu‐Bin Wan, Qinghua Zhang, Lin Gu, Zi Wen, Xingyou Lang, Qing Jiang
Abstract
Designing highly active and robust platinum-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction is vital for large-scale and efficient production of hydrogen through electrochemical water splitting. Here, we report nonprecious intermetallic Cu 5 Zr clusters that are in situ anchored on hierarchical nanoporous copper (NP Cu/Cu 5 Zr) for efficient hydrogen evolution in alkaline medium. By virtue of hydroxygenated zirconium atoms activating their nearby Cu-Cu bridge sites with appropriate hydrogen-binding energy, the Cu 5 Zr clusters have a high electrocatalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. Associated with unique architecture featured with steady and bicontinuous nanoporous copper skeleton that facilitates electron transfer and electrolyte accessibility, the self-supported monolithic NP Cu/Cu 5 Zr electrodes boost violent hydrogen gas release, realizing ultrahigh current density of 500 mA cm -2 at a low potential of -280 mV versus reversible hydrogen electrode, with exceptional stability in 1 M KOH solution. The electrochemical properties outperform those of state-of-the-art nonprecious metal electrocatalysts and make them promising candidates as electrodes in water splitting devices.