Shape-controlled hydrogen evolution reaction of single Pd nanocrystals

Abstract

This study presents a quantitative investigation of the facet-dependent hydrogen evolution reaction on Pd nanocrystals at the single-particle level, achieved by scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Notably, Pd octahedra with {111} facets demonstrated significantly superior intrinsic hydrogen evolution reaction activity, as compared to the Pd cubes with {100} facets. This work provides a pedagogical approach for probing the intrinsic activities of nanocrystal electrocatalysts and establishes a definitive structure–activity relationship at the single-entity level.