Elemental chalcogens acting as metal-free electrocatalysts for effective alkaline and acidic hydrogen evolution reaction

Walter, C and Beltrán-Suito, R and Schwarze, M and Gupta, NK and Menezes, PW and Driess, M (2022) Elemental chalcogens acting as metal-free electrocatalysts for effective alkaline and acidic hydrogen evolution reaction. In: Catalysis Today .

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Abstract

Over the years, metal chalcogenides (ME, M = transition metals, E = S, Se, Te) have been consistently explored as an important class of electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The crucial role of chalcogen sites in chalcogenides has still been elusive under HER conditions as these materials tend to transform at least at the surface depending on the pH of the electrolyte. This inspired us to investigate whether elemental chalcogens can act as metal-free catalysts in both alkaline and acidic HER. The pure chalcogens were electrophoretically deposited on nickel foam (NF) and then their electrocatalytic properties have been studied in detail. In both alkaline and acidic media, the red Se allotrope has been found to be significantly active and outperformed that of S (orthorhombic S8) and Te. The exhibited activity trend is related to the electronegativity, EHsbnd bond strength, and the pH-dependent stability of the chalcogens in operating conditions. Overall, the presented results shed light on the fundamental principles behind hydrogen generation in chalcogen-derived materials and can be used to develop setups for durable HER catalysis.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Catalysis Today
Publisher:	Elsevier B.V.
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to Elsevier B.V.
Keywords:	Alkalinity; Chalcogenides; Chemical bonds; Electrolysis; Electrolytes; Electronegativity; Hydrogen production; Transition metals, Alkalines; Chalcogens; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Metal chalcogenide; Metal-free catalysts; Metal-free electrocatalysts; Nickel foam; Reaction conditions; Renewable energies; Water splitting, Electrocatalysts
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Sustainable Technologies (formerly ASTRA)
Date Deposited:	31 Oct 2022 09:02
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2022 09:02
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/77658

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