In situ anodic dissolution–cathodic deposition route for preparation of the Pt–SiW11Co/SiW11Co–CNP/GC electrode: application as an efficient electrode for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Herein, a low-cost route has been introduced for the fabrication of a highly efficient and durable electrode based on platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), SiW11O39Co (SiW11Co), and carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) for the electrolytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). First, SiW11Co–CNP was synthesized using a polyoxometalate-assisted hydrothermal process and drop-cast on the surface of a GC electrode (SiW11Co–CNP/GC). Next, the anodic dissolution–cathodic deposition technique was employed for the deposition of Pt–SiW11Co on the SiW11Co–CNP/GC electrode. The as-prepared Pt–SiW11Co/SiW11Co–CNP/GC electrode was evaluated for its electrocatalytic activity towards the HER using linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrode has demonstrated favorable electrocatalytic activity towards the HER with a low onset potential of 80 ± 7 mV, an overpotential of 150 ± 4 mV at 10 mA cm−2 current density, and a small Tafel slope of 61 ± 1 mV dec−1, as well as a long-term stability.