Oxide-derived nanostructured metallic-glass electrodes for efficient electrochemical hydrogen generation

Abstract

Nanostructured materials with large surface areas are continuing to be at the forefront of catalytic applications. But the nanostructure synthesis methods are often lengthy, costly and difficult. Here we report the first successful fabrication of metallic-glass (MG) hierarchical nanostructures by combining thermoplastic forming and electrochemical reduction process. By the simple synthesis technique, the oxide-derived MG nanorod arrays (OD-MG NRAs) electrode with higher specific surface area exhibits an enhanced catalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction than that of untreated flat MG. The OD-MG NRAs electrode demonstrates efficient electrochemical hydrogen generation in an acidic electrolyte (10 mA cm⁻² at overpotential of 63 mV; Tafel slope of 42.6 mV dec⁻¹) and possesses impressive self-stabilizing catalytic activity over a long-term operation. These features promise an attractive catalyst for large-scale hydrogen production.