Nd-Gd–Platinum doped TiO2 nanotube arrays catalyst for water splitting in Alkaline Medium

The utilization of a highly efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) plays an important role in energy conversion in regard to the development of hydrogen-based clean energy sources. The HER in alkaline media by co-doped lanthanide-platinum TiO2 Nanotube Arrays (TNTA) catalyst electrodes has yet to be studied. Here, we report the robust fabrication of an electrocatalyst and its prominent performance in catalyzing the HER. The catalyst electrode consisted of TiO2 nanotube arrays doped with rare earth metals (neodymium (Nd) and gadolinium (Gd)) and a small loading of Pt metal as double-layer nanotube arrays. This material was obtained by a two-step electrochemical anodization method using a small amount of fluoride salt and a short time of mechanical growth. Additionally, an in situ doping strategy that utilized a hydrothermal treatment for the ternary and quaternary ions of Nd, Gd and Pt was performed, while retaining the anatase phase. The Nd-Gd-TNTA catalyst electrode produced a current density of −47.522 µA cm−2 and exhibited a low activation energy of approximately 2.15 kJ/mol. The Nd-Gd-Pt-TNTA catalyst electrode is the best candidate for supporting the HER and advancing water splitting techniques for high-purity hydrogen production in alkaline media.