Volcano plots in hydrogen electrocatalysis – uses and abuses

Sabatier's principle suggests, that for hydrogen evolution a plot of the rate constant versus the hydrogen adsorption energy should result in a volcano, and several such plots have been presented in the literature. A thorough examination of the data shows, that there is no volcano once the oxide-covered metals are left out. We examine the factors that govern the reaction rate in the light of our own theory and conclude, that Sabatier's principle is only one of several factors that determine the rate. With the exception of nickel and cobalt, the reaction rate does not decrease for highly exothermic hydrogen adsorption as predicted, because the reaction passes through more suitable intermediate states. The case…

• DA
  Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: 1770/1-1,2, Schm 344/34-1,2, 344/34-1, FOR 1376
• CN
  Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

  Award: 201101
• MD
  Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva
• AN
  Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica

  Awards: PICT-2012, PICT-2012-2324, PICT-2012-2324, CONICET
• FP
  Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica

  Awards: 2012-2324, PICT-2012-2324