Theoretical prediction and experimental verification of low loading of platinum on titanium carbide as low-cost and stable electrocatalysts

Titanium carbide (TiC) is electrochemically stable and can be synthesized with high surface area. It also has a strong affinity to platinum (Pt), making TiC an ideal support for low loading of Pt as a low-cost and stable electrocatalyst. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to predict the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and the stability of monolayer (ML) Pt on TiC. The DFT prediction was verified experimentally on ML Pt/TiC thin film that showed comparable HER activity as bulk Pt. The HER activity of Pt/TiC thin film was then extended to Pt supported TiC powders with similar results. The combined theoretical and experimental results demonstrate the utilization of TiC as a support to significantly reduce the Pt loading required for the HER.