A Comparative Study of Alternative Polymer Binders for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

IF 2.8 4区化学 Q3 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Electrocatalysis Pub Date : 2025-08-20 DOI:10.1007/s12678-025-00976-0

Wilhelm Heinrich le Roux, Rueben Pfukwa, Jan Josef Weigand, Anzel Falch

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Given the economic, industrial, and environmental value of green dihydrogen (H₂), optimization of water electrolysis as a means of producing H₂ is essential. Binders are a crucial component of electrocatalysts, yet they remain largely underdeveloped, with a significant lack of standardization in the field. Therefore, targeted research into the development of alternative binder systems is essential for advancing performance and consistency. Binders essentially act as the key to regulating the electrode (support)–catalyst–electrolyte interfacial junctions and contribute to the overall reactivity of the electrocatalyst assembly. Therefore, alternative binders were explored with a focus on cost efficiency and environmental compatibility, striving to achieve desirable activity and stability. Herein, the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was investigated, and the sluggish water dissociation step was targeted. Controlled hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogel binders were designed for this application. Three hydrogel binders were evaluated without incorporated electrocatalysts, namely PVA₁₄₅, PVA₁₄₅-blend-bPEI_1.8, and PVA₁₄₅-blend-PPy. Interestingly, the study revealed that the hydrophilicity of the binders exhibited an enhancing effect on the observed activity, resulting in improved performance compared to the commercial binder, Nafion™. Notably, the PVA₁₄₅ system stands out, with an overpotential of 224 mV at − 10 mA·cm⁻² (geometric) in 1.0 M KOH, compared to the 238 mV exhibited by Nafion™. Inclusion of Pt as active material in PVA₁₄₅ as binder exhibited a synergistic increase in performance, achieving a mass activity of 1.174 A.cm⁻².mg⁻¹_Pt in comparison to Nafion™’s 0.344 A.cm⁻².mg⁻¹_Pt, measured at − 150 mV vs RHE. Our research aimed to contribute to the development of cost-effective and efficient binder systems, stressing the necessity to challenge the dominance of the commercially available binders.

Graphical Abstract

Utilization of PVA-based polymers as alternative binders to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the alkaline HER

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析氢反应中不同聚合物粘结剂的比较研究

考虑到绿色二氢（H2）的经济、工业和环境价值，优化水电解作为生产H2的手段是必不可少的。粘合剂是电催化剂的重要组成部分，但它们在很大程度上仍然不发达，在该领域明显缺乏标准化。因此，有针对性地研究开发替代粘合剂系统对于提高性能和一致性至关重要。粘合剂本质上是调节电极（载体）-催化剂-电解质界面连接的关键，并有助于电催化剂组装的整体反应性。因此，在注重成本效益和环境相容性的前提下，研究了替代粘合剂，力求达到理想的活性和稳定性。本文对碱性析氢反应（HER）进行了研究，并针对缓慢的水解离步骤进行了研究。为此设计了可控亲水性聚乙烯醇基水凝胶粘合剂。在不添加电催化剂的情况下，对三种水凝胶粘合剂PVA145、PVA145-blend- bpei1.8和PVA145-blend- ppy进行了评价。有趣的是，研究表明，与商用粘结剂Nafion™相比，粘合剂的亲水性对观察到的活性有增强作用，从而提高了性能。值得注意的是，PVA145系统在1.0 M KOH条件下- 10 mA·cm - 2（几何）下的过电位为224 mV，而Nafion™的过电位为238 mV。将Pt作为活性物质包埋在PVA145中作为粘结剂表现出协同性的性能提高，其质量活性达到1.174 A.cm−2。与Nafion™的0.344 A.cm m−2相比。mg - 1Pt，在- 150 mV vs RHE下测量。我们的研究旨在为开发具有成本效益和高效的粘合剂系统做出贡献，强调挑战商用粘合剂主导地位的必要性。基于聚乙烯醇的聚合物作为替代粘合剂，以提高碱性HER的可持续性和效率

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来源期刊

Electrocatalysis CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL-ELECTROCHEMISTRY

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

6.50%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

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