Can Re cluster complexes be an efficient catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction? Insights from experiments and computations

Abstract

To date, researchers in chase of economic cost-efficiency are faced with the problem of developing effective catalysts for water splitting without the use of platinoids. Herein, catalytic properties of hexanuclear rhenium cluster complexes are investigated in application to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A paste composite electrode containing the cluster complexes was obtained, producing a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at an extraordinarily low overpotential of 90 mV (RHE). The {Re₆Se₈}-based complexes have shown very favorable reaction kinetics via 102 mV dec⁻¹ value of the Tafel slope for HER reaction within the composition of the paste electrode. Model calculations of kinetic parameters using density functional theory also support the experimental findings. This work underscores the perspectivity of rhenium cluster compounds in HER and opens a promising avenue toward the practical implementation of hydrogen production through electrochemical water splitting.