Highly Crystalline Pd13Cu3S7 Nanoplates Prepared via Partial Cation Exchange of Cu1.81S Templates as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Chemical transformations via post-synthetic modification of colloidal nanocrystals have received great attention as a rational synthetic route to unprecedented nanostructures. In particular, cation exchange reaction is considered as an effective method to alter the composition of the starting nanostructures while maintaining the initial structural characteristics. Herein, we report the synthesis of highly crystalline Pd13Cu3S7 nanoplates (NPs) via partial cation exchange of the Cu1.81S phase by Pd cations, with Cu1.94S NPs and Pd13Cu3S7/Cu2-xS janus heterostructure as the intermediate phases. The highly crystalline Pd13Cu3S7 ternary NPs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic condition. The HER activity of Pd13Cu3S7 NPs with its overpotential as low as 64 mV at -10 mA cm-2 is superior to those of amorphous PdCuS and commercial Pd/C catalysts, demonstrating the importance of nanocrystal crystallinity in boosting the HER activity. They also exhibit excellent stability as compared to commercial Pt/C and Pd/C under strongly acidic conditions.