Nanoporous Pt-Based Electrodes for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Nanoporous materials have gained prominence across multiple domains, including catalysis, optics, energy conversion, and sensing, due to their uniquely large surface areas and tunable pore sizes that enhance reactivity, selectivity, and electronic properties. Electrodes comprising solid nanoporous materials are conventionally prepared via a multistep process typically requiring the dispersion of nanosized materials and the incorporation of noncatalytic additives, such as binder and conductive carbons, which hinder their scalability and overall performance. Here, we present an innovative approach to fabricate binder-free nanoporous Pt-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction by combining electrochemical etching with magnetron sputtering. Direct sputtering of platinum onto an electrochemically etched titanium substrate yields a nanoporous electrode exhibiting a remarkable electrocatalytic performance. The Pt-coated nanoporous electrode demonstrates superior kinetics, low overpotential, and improved charge-transfer impedance in hydrogen evolution reactions. This technique offers a scalable and versatile means of creating nanoporous electrocatalyst materials, allowing for the design of tailored catalyst materials for use in sustainable energy conversion technologies. The integration of metal surface nanoengineering and magnetron sputtering provides a promising pathway for customized catalyst development, advancing cleaner energy conversion processes such as direct CO₂ and N₂ reduction for fuel and ammonia production.