The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Platinum (Pt) is widely used for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its high intrinsic activity. However, it suffers from high cost, limited availability, and poor long-term durability. To overcome these issues, we developed a vapor induced phase separation (VIPS)-assisted block copolymer (PAN-b-P4VP) strategy to construct hierarchically porous metal/carbon catalysts. The selective coordination ability and porogenic function of P4VP enabled Pt nanoparticles to be encapsulated within mesopores, resulting in uniform dispersion throughout the carbon matrix. Concurrently, VIPS produced a bicontinuous 3D porous network that enhanced mass transport, and the rough surface further suppressed bubble agglomeration and promoted rapid detachment. These features collectively contributed to excellent HER performance. The system also allowed selective loading of other metals, demonstrating broad applicability in electrocatalysis.