Electrocatalytic H2 production with a turnover frequency >107 s−1: the medium provides an increase in rate but not overpotential

Abstract

Rapid proton movement results in exceptionally fast electrocatalytic H₂ production (up to 3 × 10⁷ s⁻¹) at overpotentials of ∼400 mV when catalysed by [Ni(P^Ph₂N^C₆H₄x₂)₂]²⁺ complexes in an acidic ionic liquid–water medium ([(DMF)H]NTf₂–H₂O, χ_H2O = 0.71).