Platinum/Nickel Bicarbonate Heterostructures towards Accelerated Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Heterostructured nanomaterials, generally possessing unique physicochemical properties different from the individual components, have great potential in a wide range of applications. New platinum (Pt)/nickel bicarbonate (Ni(HCO3)2) heterostructures herein are designed towards efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Notably, the specific and mass activity of Pt in Pt/Ni(HCO3)2 are substantially improved as compared with bare Pt NPs. The Ni(HCO3)2 provides abundant water adsorption/dissociation sites and modulate the electronic structure of Pt, both of which determine the elementary reaction kinetics of alkaline HER. Besides, Ni(HCO3)2 nanoplates offer an ideal platform for the uniform dispersion of Pt NPs, ensuring the maximum exposure of active sites. The results demonstrate that, Ni(HCO3)2 is an effective catalyst promoter for alkaline HER, and engineering heterostructures with triggered synergistic effect is a promising strategy towards innovative electrocatalysts development.