In Operando Stacking of Reduced Graphene Oxide for Active Hydrogen Evolution

Ning Ling, Zhen Wang, Sera Kim, Sang Ho Oh, Jong Hyeok Park, Hyunjung Shin, Suyeon Cho, Heejun Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite the remarkable electronic and mechanical properties of graphene, improving the catalytic activity of the atomically flat, inert, and stable carbon network remains a challenging issue in both fundamental and application studies. In particular, the adsorption of most molecules and ions, including hydrogen (H2 or H+), on graphene is not favorable, underlining the challenge for an efficient electrochemical catalytic reaction on graphene. Various defects, edges, and functionalization have been suggested to resolve the catalytic issue in graphene, but cost-effectiveness and active catalysis with graphene have not been achieved yet. Here, we introduce dynamic stacking of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with spontaneously generated hydrogen bubbles to form an efficient electrochemical catalyst with a graphene derivative; the in operando stacking of rGO, without using a high-temperature-based heteroatom doping process or plasma treatment, creates a large catalytic surface area with optimized edges and acidic groups in the rGO. Thus, the uniquely formed stable carbon network achieves active hydrogen evolution with a Tafel slope of 39 mV·dec-1 and a double layer capacitance of 12.41 mF·cm-2, which breaks the conventional limit of graphene-based catalysis, suggesting a promising strategy for metal-free catalyst engineering and hydrogen production.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)43460-43465
Number of pages6
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume11
Issue number46
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Nov 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society.

Keywords

  • hydrogen bubble template
  • hydrogen evolution reaction
  • in operando stacking
  • metal-free catalyst
  • reduced graphene oxide

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