%0 Journal Article %A Shang, Xiao %A Liu, Zi-Zhang %A Lu, Shan-Shan %A Dong, Bin %A Chi, Jing-Qi %A Qin, Jun-Feng %A Liu, Xien %A Chai, Yong-Ming %A Liu, Chen-Guang %D 2018 %T Pt–C Interfaces Based on Electronegativity-Functionalized Hollow Carbon Spheres for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Pt_C_Interfaces_Based_on_Electronegativity-Functionalized_Hollow_Carbon_Spheres_for_Highly_Efficient_Hydrogen_Evolution/7430861 %R 10.1021/acsami.8b10845.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/13758071 %K N groups %K Pt activity %K HCS %K hydrogen evolution reaction activity %K O groups %K Efficient Hydrogen Evolution %K Electronegativity-Functionalized Hollow Carbon Spheres %K Pt counter electrode %K Pt nanoparticles %K carbon-supported Pt catalyst %X The hydrogen evolution reaction activity of carbon-supported Pt catalyst is highly dependent on Pt–C interfaces. Herein, we focus on the relationships between Pt activity and N/O-functionalized hollow carbon sphere (HCS) substrate in acidic media. The electrochemical dissolution of Pt counter electrode is performed to prepare Pt nanoparticles in low loading. The N groups are beneficial for homogeneously sized Pt nanoparticles, whereas the O groups lead to aggregated nanoparticles. Moreover, the proper electronegativity of the N groups may enable capturing of protons to create proton-rich Pt–C interfaces and transfer them onto the Pt sites. The O groups may also capture protons by hydrogen bonding, but the subsequent release of protons is more difficult due to a stronger electronegativity and result in an inferior Pt activity. Consequently, the N-doped HCS with a low Pt loading (1.7 μg cm–2 and 0.05 wt %) possesses a higher intrinsic activity compared with Pt on O-doped HCS. Moreover, it outperforms the commercial 20% Pt/C with a stable operation for 12 h. This work may provide suggestions for constructing the advantageous Pt–C interfaces by proper functional groups for high catalytic efficiencies. %I ACS Publications