Kinetics of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Monometallic Bulk Electrodes in Various Electrolytic Solutions

Abstract

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) holds pivotal significance in electrochemical energy conversion. In this study, we present essential HER kinetic parameters encompassing nine metals (Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pt, W, and Zn) evaluated within seven distinct electrolytes (0.1 mol dm−3 HClO4, 0.1 mol dm−3 HCl, 0.5 mol dm−3 NaCl, 1 mol dm−3 KH2PO4, 0.1 mol dm−3 KOH, 0.1 mol dm−3 LiOH, and 1 mol dm−3 KOH). Through careful measures to restrain oxide formation, HER activity was measured on clean electrodes, while the assessment of HER activity on oxidatively treated metals was also performed. By correlating HER exchange current densities with calculated hydrogen binding energies, we show that the shape of HER volcano curves is largely preserved in studied electrolytes, at least around their apexes. Additionally, depending on the metal–electrolyte combination, the presence of surface oxide can have both positive and negative effects on HER kinetics. Finally, we collated HER kinetic data for bulk surfaces from diverse literature sources, offering a comprehensive overview of the kinetic parameters governing hydrogen evolution across distinct electrolytic environments. These insights have practical significance, guiding the development of new catalytic materials for different water electrolysis technologies, optimizing electrolyte formulations for boosting HER, and enhancing energy efficiency and catalytic performance through catalyst–electrolyte synergies.