Poly(3,4-dinitrothiophene)/SWCNT composite as a low overpotential hydrogen evolution metal-free catalystElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, comparison of HER performance, thermogravimetric analysis data of catalysts, additional electron microscopy characterization, FT-IR spectrum of PDNT0 and CV measurement of PDNT2 in organic electrolyte. See DOI: 10.1039/c4ta04671d

A novel metal-free hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst made of poly(3,4-dinitrothiophene)/SWCNT was developed. This catalyst presents a good hydrogen evolution reaction activity with a lower overpotential than metallic catalysts. Its performance was optimized to an overpotential of ca. 0.040 V and a hydrogen generation rate of 44.2 μmol h −1 cm −2 . A novel metal-free hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst made of poly(3,4-dinitrothiophene)/SWCNT was developed.