| Jul 18, 2025 |
Platinum alloy on MXene improves hydrogen output with lower cost and high stabilityResearchers develop a PtCo/MXene catalyst that cuts platinum use and boosts hydrogen production efficiency with strong durability in acidic conditions.(Nanowerk News) A new approach to hydrogen production could lower costs while improving efficiency, thanks to a catalyst developed by Chinese researchers that uses less platinum without sacrificing performance (Frontiers in Energy, "MXene supported PtCo bimetallic catalyst for hydrogen evolution in acidic conditions"). |
| Hydrogen is widely viewed as a clean alternative to fossil fuels because it offers high energy output and produces no greenhouse gases when used. But most hydrogen today is still made using fossil fuels, undermining its environmental benefits. A cleaner method—splitting water with electricity from renewable sources—relies on catalysts to speed up the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Platinum is the most effective catalyst, but it’s rare and expensive. |
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| Schematic diagram of preparation of PtCo/MXene by step-by-step reduction method. (Image: Frontiers in Energy) |
| To make platinum-based hydrogen production more viable, a team from the Beijing University of Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences created a new bimetallic catalyst using a minimal amount of platinum combined with cobalt. The metal particles were dispersed onto MXene, a layered material known for its high conductivity and large surface area. Their fabrication method involved a stepwise reduction process that helped spread the platinum-cobalt (PtCo) alloy uniformly over the MXene surface. |
| Tests in acidic conditions showed the PtCo/MXene catalyst achieved high efficiency with low overpotential—60 mV and 152 mV at current densities of −10 and −100 mA/cm², respectively—and remained stable over time. Its structure enabled faster electron transfer and easier hydrogen release during the reaction. Computer simulations confirmed that cobalt modified the electronic structure of platinum, making the catalyst more effective at promoting hydrogen release. |
| By enhancing the performance of a low-loading platinum catalyst, the researchers offer a pathway toward more sustainable and scalable hydrogen energy systems. |
| Source: Frontiers in Energy (Note: Content may be edited for style and length) |
