Rational Assembly of the NiMoP/NiCoZn Heterostructure Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at High Current Densities

Abstract

Developing a cost-effective hydrogen (H2) evolution electrocatalyst can effectively solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by excessive fossil fuel use. Herein, we report an innovative synthetic strategy, involving hydrothermal electrodeposition of a NiCoZn film on commercial carbon fiber paper (CFP) and in situ cyclic voltammetric electrodeposition of NiMoP to prepare a heterostructure electrocatalyst (NiMoP/NiCoZn/CFP) with synergistic electrocatalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). To deliver high current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm–2, the NiMoP/NiCoZn/CFP electrode only required overpotentials of 230 and 268 mV, respectively, which were considerably superior to those of Pt–C/CFP (457 and 592 mV, respectively). Moreover, this electrode exhibited excellent ultrastability (40 h at 500 mA cm–2 or 80 h at 1 A cm–2). The superior electrocatalytic HER activity is attributed to (1) cooperative electronic interactions between NiMoP and NiCoZn in the heterointerface and (2) the complete wettability, which is advantageous for gas formation and desorption and considerably reduces bubble adhesion and reaction resistance. This work provides a rational electrodeposition strategy for constructing heterointerface electrocatalysts for H2 production at high current densities.

Heterostructured Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Co-FeOOH Nanosheets@1D Ir-Co(OH)F Nanorods for Efficient Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

“…Compared to other electrocatalysts, the smaller contact angle of Co-FeOOH@Ir-Co­( OH )F indicates its improved surface wettability and better electrolyte penetration ability. This can be attributed not only to the low contact angle of Co-FeOOH (16°, Figure S6) but also to the synergistic interactions between Co-FeOOH and Ir-Co­( OH )F (Figure e), all of which help to enhance the overall wettability . Such features are favorable for weakening the interfacial adhesion strength of gas bubbles and accelerating gas desorption kinetics, resulting in enhanced reaction kinetics, including charge transfer and mass transport during water electrolysis.…”

In Situ Assembly of a Superaerophobic CoMn/CuNiP Heterostructure as a Trifunctional Electrocatalyst for Ampere-Level Current Density Urea-Assisted Hydrogen Production

“…On the other hand, during the anodic sweep, the surface becomes rougher due to oxidation and can show better catalytic properties. In the process of electrochemical deposition through the CV method, by controlling the factors affecting the anodic part of the CV curve, the surface morphology can be optimized and, in addition to improving the catalytic properties, a suitable place for adhesion of subsequent layers can be created. , Moreover, the optimized sample was attained through changing the electrodeposition cycle numbers from 2 to 50 (2, 10, 30, and 50) to expose the impact of the electrodeposition cycle number on the electrocatalytic performance as well as morphological changes.…”

A high-performance electrocatalyst via graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet-decorated bimetallic phosphide for alkaline water electrolysis

“…The Tafel slope of g-C 3 N 4 /NiCoP is lower than those of the other electrocatalysts, indicating superior HER kinetics. The typical HER mechanism for the alkaline medium is as follows: 55 H 2 O + e − + M → MH ads + OH − , Volmer reactionMH ads + H 2 O + e − → H 2 (g) + OH − + M, Heyrovsky reactionMH ads + MH ads → H 2 (g) + 2M, Tafel reactionwhere M represents the metal active site and H ads is the adsorbed H species. First, the adsorption of water onto the surface leads to the formation of a hydrogen atom adsorbed surface (MH ads ) and OH − intermediate (Volmer reaction).…”