Defect-engineered ultrathin NiMoO4 nanomeshes as efficient and stable electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

Defect-rich metal-based nanomeshes have been regarded as potential effective catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting, in which nanopores are beneficial to increase active sites and enhance the mass transfer. However, facile synthesis of metal-based nanomeshes still remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the cost-efficient ultrathin nickel molybdenum nanomeshes (NiMoO4) for overall water splitting. The NiMoO4 possesses outstanding oxygen evolution reaction property (239 mV@10 mA cm-2), together with an exceptional cycling stability. Notably, phosphorus (P)-doping endows the NiMoO4 nanomeshes a superior hydrogen evolution reaction property (144 mV@-10 mA cm-2). We also prepare a double electrode system with NiMoO4 and P-doped NiMoO4, and evaluate the performance of overall water splitting (1.68 V @10 mA cm-2). The key point of the processing route developed here is the synergistic effect between defect engineering and element doping, which provide a guiding insight for the development of novel catalysts for their practical applications.

Automated summary

The defect engineering and element doping in metal nanomeshes play an important role in improving the performance of electrocatalytic water splitting. The study demonstrates that P-doped NiMoO4 exhibits excellent hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction properties, highlighting the synergistic effect between defect engineering and element doping in enhancing catalytic activity.