International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol.44, No.33, 17662-17668, 2019
Engineering bimetallic PtX (X=Sn, Cu) immobilized on graphene as efficient catalysts: Boosted charge migration and hydrogen evolution
In this work, bimetallic PtX (X = Sn, Cu) decorated graphene nanohybrids (PtX/G) were developed, which showed enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance than that of Pt/G in Eosin Y sensitized H-2 production system. The presence of Sn or Cu in PtX/G nanohybrids can remarkably improve the photogenerated charge separation efficiency and contribute to promoting the reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen in comparison to with noble metal Pt. Meanwhile, graphene acted as a more suitable electronic support to accelerate the migration of electrons from sensitizer to catalysts, owing to its higher electron mobility and larger surface area than other supports (such as carbon sphere, Al2O3 and SiO2). The optimal H-2 evolution rate PtSn/G and PtCu/G was about 2.2 and 2.0 times higher than that of Pt/G. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of PtSn/G and PtCu/G reached up to 12.46% and 11.06% under visible light irradiation (lambda >= 420 nm), respectively. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.