Multi-branched AgAuPt nanoparticles for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution: Synergism of tip-enhanced electric field effect and local electric field effect

High-curvature multi-noble metallic heterostructures can effectively enhance the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance by utilizing the synergism of tip-enhanced electric field effect and local electric field effect. Herein, we report a two-step synthesis strategy to obtain multi-branched high-curvature AgAuPt heterostructure, firstly amino acids-induced growth of Au branches on Ag nanocubes, and secondly L-AA reduction of H2PtCl6 to incorporate tiny Pt nanoparticles on Au branches. The D-CAgAuPt results in a low overpotential of 38 mV to deliver a cathodic current density of 10 mA cm−2, which is superior to commercial 20% Pt/C (46 mV). The strong electronic interactions between multi-noble metals intrinsically enhance the durability and stability of the catalysts. The intrinsic mechanism of promoting HER performance is investigated and revealed in-depth via the FDTD simulations and DFT calculations. In addition, D-CAgAuPt can also achieve efficient and stable hydrogen evolution in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, which has the potential for commercial practical application. This work designs a novel multi-branched high-curvature multi-noble metallic heterostructure, and fully provides insights into the generical and efficient enhancement of electrocatalytic HER performance of multi-noble metallic heterostructures.