Abstract
Hydrogen production with zero carbon emission is considered as an excellent alternative to fossil fuels. To realize this goal, the design, and development of a new electrocatalyst is much needed. In the present work, we report electrochemical properties and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of three transition metal (M = Fe, Ni, Co) complexes based on 1,10-phenanthroline ligand. As compared to free acid (Ep =-1.85 V vs Ag/AgCl), electrocatalytic reduction of acetic acid takes place at lower overpotential (-1.22 to-1.50 V vs Ag/AgCl) in [Bu4N][BF4]-DMF electrolyte at room temperature. Based on the data obtained and earlier reports, a possible mechanism of HER has also been delineated.