Nickel-based nanosheets array as a binder free and highly efficient catalyst for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen technology through water electrolyzer systems has attracted a great attention to overcome the energy crisis. So, rationally designed non-noble metal based-electrocatalysts with high activity and durability can lead to high performance water electrolyzer systems and high purity hydrogen generation. Herein, a facile two-step method: hydrothermal and electrodeposition, respectively, are developed to decorate highly porous three-dimensional binder-free structure NiFeO/NiO nanosheets array on Ni foam (NiFeO/NiO/NF) with robust adhesion as a high-performance electrode for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER). The electrodeposition process applied after the initial hydrothermal process provides a stable structure and, in addition, enhances the sluggish hydrogen evolution efficiency. In alkaline media, the developed electrode needs an overpotential of 48 and 188 mV to drive current densities (j) of 10 and 100 mA cm-2, respectively. After continuous 110 h electro-chemical stability test under j = 150 mA cm-2 conditions, demonstrates an excellent sta-bility with ignorable activity decrease. Such superior HER catalytic performance can be derived from the synergistic effect between Ni and Fe atoms, also exposure to a high number of active sites on the nanosheets, and good dynamic with effective electron transport along the nanosheets. The present work provides a promising route for the design and fabrication of cost-effective and highly efficient HER electrocatalysts.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study develops a high-performance electrode for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) through the rational design of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts. The electrode exhibits a stable structure, high hydrogen evolution efficiency, excellent stability, and negligible activity decrease in alkaline media. The synergistic effect between Ni and Fe atoms, high density of active sites on nanosheets, and effective electron transport contribute to its superior HER catalytic performance. This work provides a promising route for the design and fabrication of cost-effective and highly efficient HER electrocatalysts.