Effects of Metal–Support Interaction in the Electrocatalysis of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of the Metal-Decorated Titanium Dioxide Supported Carbon

It has been found that the electrocatalytic properties of metallic nanoparticles supported on transition metal oxides are affected by existing strong metal–support interaction (SMSI). Herein, effects SMSI electrocatalysis hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were investigated in acid electrolyte using Pt and Ag carbon titanium oxide (TiO2). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR–TEM) images showed present a spherical shape at TiO2 support an average size distribution around 4.5 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results for Pt/TiO2/C Ag/TiO2/C evidenced higher amounts surface particles, when compared to materials carbon. Consistently, electrode polarization electrochemical impedance revealed both metal–TiO2 metal–C-supported catalysts more active catalyzing HER than corresponding carbon-supported materials, with presenting better results. These differences activities related electronic TiO2/C substrate metals, introduced metal-support (SMSI) metal–TiO2/C catalysts.