Influence of SiW12O404− on the electrocatalytic behaviour of Pt–Co alloy supported on carbon for water electrolysis in 3 M KOH aqueous solution

Pt–Co alloy supported on carbon (Pt–Co) was electroactivated with or without SiW12O404− and used as cathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 3 M KOH at 70°C. These electrodes were characterised through neutron activation (NA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The best HER performances were observed on Pt–Co electroactivated with STA. The enhanced HER electrocatalytic activity observed on Pt–Co electroactivated with STA was attributed to an increase in its active surface area and to its surface chemical composition.