FeCoNiS Nanoparticles Integrated with Nitrogen−Doped Vertically Oriented Graphene via Single−Step Electrodeposition: An Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Overall Water Splitting

Abstract

The development of transition metal electrocatalysts to replace precious metal electrocatalysts is essential for the development of sustainable water splitting technology for the mass production of clean hydrogen. FeCoNiS/NVG (N-doped vertically oriented graphene) is fabricated via single-step electrodeposition. Benefiting from the vertical structure of FeCoNiS/NVG and intrinsic catalytic activity of FeCoNiS, FeCoNiS/NVG displays excellent catalytic activities toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), with overpotentials of 126 and 347 mV at 10 mA cm−2, respectively. The overpotentials of FeCoNiS/NVG are similar to those of commercial Pt/C (100 mV) and IrO2 (329 mV). The Faraday efficiency of FeCoNiS/NVG for overall water splitting is about 95%. FeCoNiS/NVG also exhibits long-term stability for HER and OER. This work demonstrates the great potential of iron-group metal sulfides for overall water splitting.

Iron‐group Metal Compound Electrocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Production: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

“…Our research group has prepared N-doped vertically oriented graphene by electrodeposition, integrated FeCoNiS on the substrate, and successfully prepared FeCoNiS/N-VG. [31] At a current density of 10 mA cm À 2 , compared with FeCoNiS/ VG (159 mV) and CoNiS/NVG (157 mV), the HER polarization curve of FeCoNiS/N-VG shows the lowest overpotential (126 mV), which is consistent with the OER results. The results showed that there is a strong interaction between FeCoNiS and N-VG, and the HER activity of quaternary metal chalcogenides is better than that of ternary and binary metal chalcogenides, which is due to the strong electron interaction between Fe, Ni, Co, and S.…”

“…In addition to introducing non‐metals into the active material, this strategy can also be adopted on the conductive substrates, which often leads to a synergistic effect between the two substances, thus enhancing their electrolysis of water ability. Our research group has prepared N‐doped vertically oriented graphene by electrodeposition, integrated FeCoNiS on the substrate, and successfully prepared FeCoNiS/N‐VG [31] . At a current density of 10 mA cm −2 , compared with FeCoNiS/VG (159 mV) and CoNiS/NVG (157 mV), the HER polarization curve of FeCoNiS/N‐VG shows the lowest overpotential (126 mV), which is consistent with the OER results.…”

FeCoNiB Nanoparticles Anchoring on Vertically Aligned B-Doped Graphene Array as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting

“…Hydrogen has become a potential substitute for fossil fuels due to its high combustion calorific value and no strict requirements on production sites. [1][2][3] Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is the only way to produce hydrogen without pollution to the environment. [4][5][6] The kinetic process of water splitting is slowly, especially the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) involving the 4e − transfer process, so catalysts are required to increase the reaction rate and reduce the energy loss during water electrolysis.…”