Single Tungsten Atoms Supported on MOF-Derived N-Doped Carbon for Robust Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution

Tungsten-based catalysts are promising candidates to generate hydrogen effectively. In this work, a single-W-atom catalyst supported on metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived N-doped carbon (W-SAC) for efficient electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with high activity and excellent stability is reported. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy analysis indicate the atomic dispersion of the W species, and reveal that the W₁N₁C₃ moiety may be the favored local structure for the W species. The W-SAC exhibits a low overpotential of 85 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 53 mV dec⁻¹, in 0.1 m KOH solution. The HER activity of the W-SAC is almost equal to that of commercial Pt/C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggests that the unique structure of the W₁N₁C₃ moiety plays an important role in enhancing the HER performance. This work gives new insights into the investigation of efficient and practical W-based HER catalysts.