Cobalt modified platinum-cellulose-carbon aerogel prepared by supercritical deposition as electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Journal
International journal of hydrogen energy  
Volume
219
Article Number
154030
Citation
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 219: 154030 (2026)
Publisher DOI
10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.154030
Publisher
Elsevier
Green hydrogen production via water electrolysis is a key technology for reaching net-zero CO₂ emission targets due to its ability to generate high-purity hydrogen with minimal environmental impact. This study investigates the effect of Co on Pt-based electrocatalysts supported on cellulose-based carbon aerogels (cellulose-CA) using supercritical deposition (SCD) on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and stability. Pt and Co precursors were deposited onto cellulose-CA via SCD and converted via two routes (ex-situ thermal and chemical) under N₂ and H₂ flow at 1 bar and 200 °C. Characterizations (ICP-MS, STEM, XPS, SEM, Raman, and XRD) confirmed successful Pt and Co incorporation and preservation of the cellulose-CA microstructure (overall accessible surface area ∼2100 – 2700 m² g⁻¹). The Co-modified electrocatalysts exhibited similar overpotentials at 20 mA/cm² despite half the Pt loading, with thermally converted Pt–Co-cellulose-CA showing the lowest overpotential (64 mV) and potential shift (4 mV). Our results demonstrate that Co-modification via SCD enhances the activity and stability of biobased CA electrocatalysts with low Pt content around 2.8 wt%.
Subjects
Hydrogen evolution reaction
Low Pt-loading electrocatalysts
Co-modification
Supercritical deposition
Carbon aerogels
DDC Class
600: Technology
660.2: Chemical Engineering