Au/Cdots Nanohybrids As Efficient Electro-Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

In this study, we report a facile method to synthesize carbon dots (Cdots) from rice straw and then use it as a directly reducing agent as well as a stabilizer to produce Au@Cdots nanohybrids. Rice straw-derived Cdots possesses oxygenated groups, which act as an electron-donating source to reduce Au 3+ to Au 0 . The strong Au-carbon interaction propels a high electron transfer for Au@Cdots electrocatalyst towards enhanced-performance in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). When Au@Cdots electrocatalyst is used for the HER process, the HER activity is maintained stable for 2000 cycles. The overpotential is 150 mV at a current density of 10 mA.cm -2 , which is the outstanding HER performance for Au nanohybrids as a non-Pt HER electrocatalyst.