Efficient synergism of NiSe2 nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet for energy-relevant water and urea electrocatalysis

Herein, we highlighted that a catalyst system of NiSe2 nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet catalyst exhibited efficient synergism for energy and environmental-relevant urea-assisted water electrolysis reactions. The spectral study and microscopic analysis demonstrated the formation of NiSe2 nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet heterostructure and efficient Ni-O bond and Ni-Se bond synergism. Owing to various factors such as the strong synergetic coupling effects between NiSe2 nanoparticle and NiO nanosheet, unique structure features, increased active sites and amount of intrinsic Ni3+ ions, efficient synergism was found on the NiSe2 Nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet for urea-assisted water electrolysis by comparing with the NiSe2 Nanoparticle and NiO nanosheet alone. It required a cell voltage of 1.39 V, about 210 mV less than that of water electrolysis, confirming the less energy consumption during the electrolysis. Notably, it also shows remarkably superior long-term durability. The current work may extend the nanoparticle-nanosheet catalysts system for simultaneous wastewater treatment and clean energy production.