Gold nanoparticles as an outstanding catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

An electrode made of Au nanoparticles, ca. 13 nm in diameter, displays outstanding catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction in water. At an overpotential of 200 mV it operates with a catalytic rate TOF of 0.3 s⁻¹, which is among the best performances ever achieved for a Pt-free H₂-evolving catalyst.