ZrO2 supported Pt nanoparticles for robust electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions

Muhammad Bilal Hussain, Munir Ahmad, Xingxing Cheng, Rashid Mehmood, Zeeshan Ajmal, Shabab Hussain, Muhammad Tayyab, Vitaly Gitis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The rational design and construction of stable metal nanoparticles (NPs) are urgently needed to address the challenges of energy scarcity and environmental degradation. In this work, zirconium dioxide-supported platinum (ZrO2/Pt) nanoparticles heterostructure electrocatalyst was synthesized from a platinum-loaded metal-organic framework (Pt/UiO-66-NH2) nanocomposite using a facile ion-exchange strategy combined with a soft template method. The octahedral morphology, high surface area and suitable porosity of UiO-66-NH2 are particularly advantageous for anchoring Pt NPs on its surface. The calcination step is crucial for inducing defects and generating oxygen vacancies, which help stabilize the Pt NPs on ZrO2 matrix. Notably, the morphology of the ZrO2/Pt heterostructure remains consistent with that of the original Pt/UiO-66-NH2 even after calcination. Additionally, the in-situ generated defects and oxygen vacancies in the ZrO2/Pt heterostructure during the calcination process significantly enhance its electrical conductivity. As a result, the as-prepared ZrO2/Pt heterostructure exhibits superior electrochemical performance (η10 = 38 mV) in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) compared to the state-of-the-art commercial platinum on carbon support (Pt/C) electrocatalyst (η10 = 56 mV). This study highlights the pivotal role of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based material in fabricating advanced electrocatalyst for HER, with the exceptional HER activity of ZrO2/Pt offering promising prospects for green hydrogen production.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)825-833
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume106
DOIs
StatePublished - 6 Mar 2025

Keywords

  • Facile approach
  • Green hydrogen
  • HER
  • Strong metal-support interaction
  • ZrO/Pt heterostructure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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