Layered Double (Ni, Fe) Hydroxide Loaded with Platinum Nanoparticles as an Efficient Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The aim of developing platinum-based hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is to prepare catalysts with low noble metal loading, stability, and ideal electrocatalytic efficiency. Here, we report the development of a (Ni, Fe) double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) catalytic electrode using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent and carbon black (CB) and nickel carbonyl powder as components by a simple hydrothermal method. We loaded Pt nanoparticles on the surface after heat treatment of the catalytic electrode. The treated electrode showed a favorable valence state distribution and good morphology for the HER; the metal–carrier interaction was increased through Pt loading, and the reaction path of the HER was optimized. The prepared catalytic electrode had enhanced kinetic performance with an overpotential of only 63 mV at 50 mA cm–2 and good stability. This provides an effective strategy for developing highly active platinum-based catalytic electrodes.