Dealloyed Pt3Co nanoparticles with higher geometric strain for superior hydrogen evolution reaction

Dealloying process is adopted to generate the geometric strain in Pt3Co/C alloy by preferential dissolution of non-noble metal (Co) from the alloy. Electrochemical studies show Pt3Co/C dealloy catalyst exhibits the highest current density, nearly two times higher than Pt3Co/C alloy and five times higher than Pt/C for hydrogen evolution reaction. Tafel slope for HER is also improved from 49 (Pt/C) to 34 mV dec−1 (Pt3Co/C dealloy), indicating that the surface strain plays important role in the improvement of the catalytic activity of Pt3Co catalyst. The chronoamperometry data, LSV curves and ECSA values at pre- and post-chronoamperometry study confirm the durability and stability of the dealloy catalyst over monometallic Pt catalyst.240