Single atoms (Pt, Ir and Rh) anchored on activated NiCo LDH for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.

Here, we report the synthesis of activated NiCo LDH to immobilize Pt, Ir and Rh single atoms for hydrogen evolution reaction. The Pt/A-NiCo LDH electrocatalyst exhibits the highest catalytic ability with a low overpotential of 16 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm and a mass activity about 24.8-fold that of commercial Pt/C. The results suggest that the Pt single atom catalyst can not only accelerate the Volmer steps in alkaline media, but also optimize the hydrogen adsorption process, improving the HER catalytic activity.