Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) as electrocatalysts have been explored as active noble-metal-free porous structures with a high surface area for active metal centers for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we report the facile synthesis of a hierarchical nickel carbide nanostructure (HNNS) from nickel aluminum carbide for the OER. A synthesized nanostructured electrocatalyst shows better OER performance compared to a bare plastic chip electrode and nickel aluminum carbide. The electrocatalytic performance for the HNNS achieved the current density of 10 mA cm–2 at an overpotential of 175 mV with a Tafel slope of 54 mV dec–1 in an alkaline medium. The facile synthesis and intensified OER activity make it convenient to fabricate efficient and stable electrodes for well-functioning electrochemical water splitting. The obtained results were compared to the standard catalyst and are better than those attained by the previously reported state-of-the-art transition-metal-based electrocatalyst. This work effectively improves ceaseless efforts toward low-cost electrocatalysts by taking advantage of the merits of TMDCs and will provide more opportunities for their utilization in electrochemical applications.

No abstract