In situ surface modification of bulk or nano materials by cytochrome-c for active hydrogen evolution catalysis

Abstract

Protein assisted electrochemical hydrogen evolution catalyst development has been proposed here. The surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and bulk MoS₂ are modified with the metalloprotein cytochrome c, where the CNT–protein covalent functionalization is found to be attained via electrochemical cycling in acid medium. The hydrophobic interaction mediated surface modification of MoS₂ is found to produce a highly active hydrogen evolution catalyst, much superior to bare MoS₂ crystals while on par with CNT functionalized protein catalysts. Hence a strategy for active catalyst development which works both in bulk and nanomaterials is established.