Method for preparing a catalyst mediating H2 evolution, said catalyst and uses thereof

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This invention describes a method for preparing a catalyst, based on nickel or cobalt complexes, that efficiently promotes the production of hydrogen gas (H2 evolution) when deposited onto a solid (semi-)conductive material. The process is notable for using near-neutral (not acidic or alkaline) aqueous solutions and employs electrodeposition, photochemical, or photoelectrochemical techniques. The resulting catalyst is a nanoparticulate material, consisting of metallic cobalt or nickel core covered by an oxo/hydroxo-phosphate shell, and is effective in generating hydrogen at modest energy inputs, making it a promising alternative to expensive noble metal catalysts like platinum.

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• Electrodes for water electrolysis to generate hydrogen fuel in industrial and renewable energy applications.
• Photoelectrochemical cells for direct conversion of sunlight and water into hydrogen for clean energy.
• Integration in fuel cells and hydrogen production systems as a cost-effective, noble-metal-free catalyst.
• Development of robust, switchable electrodes for both hydrogen evolution (HER) and water oxidation (OER) applications.
• Use in educational and research laboratories as a platform for studying water-splitting reactions and renewable hydrogen generation.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables hydrogen evolution under neutral (non-corrosive) conditions, broadening material compatibility and device stability.
• Reduces dependence on costly and scarce noble metals such as platinum, offering a more sustainable and economical solution.
• The catalyst is robust, stable, and has switchable functionality: it can also serve as a water oxidation catalyst, providing versatility in water-splitting systems.
• Nanoparticulate morphology ensures high catalytic surface area and improved performance.
• Compatible with a wide range of conductive substrates, including metals, metal oxides, and carbon materials, allowing broad applicability.
• Simple preparation methods (electrodeposition, photochemical, or photoelectrochemical) that are scalable and potentially suitable for on-demand fabrication.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention concerns a method for the preparation of a catalyst onto a solid support of a (semi-)conductive material consisting in depositing said catalyst onto said support from a near-neutral aqueous solution containing at least one nickel or cobalt organic complex and at least one basic oxoanion, by a method selected in the group consisting of reductive electrodeposition, photochemical electrodeposition and photoelectrochemical deposition. The present invention also concerns said catalyst and uses thereof.