Self-Templated Fabrication of MoNi4/MoO3-X Nanorod Arrays with Dual Active Components for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

A binder-free efficient MoNi4/MoO3-x nanorod array electrode with 3D open structure is developed by using Ni foam as both scaffold and Ni source to form NiMoO4 precursor, followed by subsequent annealing in a reduction atmosphere. It is discovered that the self-templated conversion of NiMoO4 into MoNi4 nanocrystals and MoO3-x as dual active components dramatically boosts the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. Benefiting from high intrinsic activity, high electrochemical surface area, 3D open network, and improved electron transport, the resulting MoNi4/MoO3-x electrode exhibits a remarkable HER activity with extremely low overpotentials of 17 mV at 10 mA cm(-2) and 114 mV at 500 mA cm(-2), as well as a superior durability in alkaline medium. The water-alkali electrolyzer using MoNi4/MoO3-x as cathode achieves stable overall water splitting with a small cell voltage of 1.6 V at 30 mA cm(-2). These findings may inspire the exploration of cost-effective and efficient electrodes by in situ integrating multiple highly active components on 3D platform with open conductive network for practical hydrogen production.