NiSe₂ Nanoparticles Encapsulated in N-Doped Carbon Matrix Derived from a One-Dimensional Ni-MOF: An Efficient and Sustained Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The spherical-type NiSe 2 nanoparticles encapsulated in a N-doped carbon (NC) matrix (NiSe 2 -T@NC, temperature (T) = 400−800 °C) are derived from a 1D Ni-MOF precursor of the formula [Ni(BPY)(DDE)] [(BPY = 2,2′-bipyridyl), (DDE = 4,4′dicarboxy diphenyl ether)] via a facile solvothermal technique followed by annealing at different temperatures and selenylation strategies. The combined effect of a NC matrix and the Ni nanoparticles has been optimized during varied annealing processes with subsequent selenylation, leading to the formation of the series NiSe 2 -400@NC, NiSe 2 -500@NC, NiSe 2 -600@NC, NiSe 2 -700@NC, and NiSe 2 -800@NC, respectively. The variation of annealing temperature plays a vital role in optimizing the catalytic behavior of the NiSe 2 -T@NCs. Among different high-temperature annealed products, NiSe 2 -600@NC shows superior electrocatalytic performance because of the unique spherical-type morphology and higher specific surface area (57.95 m 2 g −1 ) that provides a large number of electrochemical active sites. The synthesized material exhibits a lower overpotential of 196 mV to deliver 10 mA cm −2 current density, a small Tafel slope of 45 mV dec −1 for better surface kinetics, and outstanding durability in an acidic solution, respectively. Consequently, the post stability study of the used electrocatalyst gives insight into surface phase analysis. Therefore, we presume that the synthesized 1D MOF precursor derived NiSe 2 nanoparticles encapsulated in a NC matrix has excellent potential to replace the noble-metal-based electrocatalyst for enhanced hydrogen evolution through simple water electrolysis.

A galvanic replacement reaction and the Kirkendall effect in the room-temperature synthesis of tubular NiSe2: a nanozyme catalyst with peroxidase-like activity

“…14 Similarly, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have also been used as single source precursor materials for the synthesis of different nickel selenide materials. 15,16 There are also other reports on the wet chemistry-based synthesis of various nickel selenide nanostructures. 17,18 Nevertheless most of the synthetic methods involve the reaction under hydrothermal conditions or other high temperature conditions.…”

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived plate-shaped CoS1.097 nanoparticles for an improved hydrogen evolution reaction

“…The obtained plot between ΔJ/2 (half of the difference between the anodic current density and cathodic current density) and different scan rates gave a straight line, where the slope value corresponded to C dl . [37][38][39]…”

“…However, ECSA has a direct relationship with the C dl of the electrocatalyst, and is applied to calculate the accessible units of electrochemical active sites. 22,37 The C dl is estimated from a specific non-faradaic potential window through a standard CV method. 51 Fig.…”

NiMo-MOF-Derived Carbon-Armored Ni4Mo Alloy of an Interwoven Nanosheet Structure as an Outstanding pH-Universal Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at High Current Densities

“…Furthermore, the carbon layer, in addition to serving as a protective layer, may also be defect-engineered to possess some degrees of catalytic activities toward HER, , acting as a functional support to improve the catalytic efficiency of the metallic catalyst . With the above advantages, MOF-derived catalysts have drawn intensive and extensive research attentions for HER in recent years. − …”