Platinum loaded molybdenum thin film: An advanced electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

In this work, we report the performance of a novel transition metal based electrocatalyst thin film for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A DC magnetron sputter-deposited molybdenum (Mo) thin film with traceable amount of Pt i.e., Pt loaded Mo (Mo-Pt) as an electrocatalyst for the HER in both alkali and acidic media. The Mo-Pt electrocatalyst presents high catalytic activity with low overpotentials of 100 mV and 250 mV to achieve current densities 10 mA cm^-2 and 45 mA cm^-2, respectively. Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) results show that the Mo-Pt electrocatalyst produced hydrogen at a rate comparable with that of a pristine Pt sample. The Mo-Pt sample was also found to be stable after 1000 cycles of continuous operation, thus, making it durable. Overall, the Mo-Pt electrocatalyst exhibited high catalytic activity and stability towards HER.