3D CVD graphene oxide-coated Ni foam as carbo- and electro-catalyst towards hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic solution: In situ electrochemical gas chromatography

3D graphene oxide (GO) carbocatalyst-coated nickel foam substrate (GO@Ni) was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using methanol and water as material precursors. Interestingly, the GO@Ni has anti-corrosion property in an acidic electrolyte and high catalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Ni metal is easily corroded in the acid solution and cannot be used as an electrocatalyst in electrolysers for hydrogen generation. On the other hand, the GO@Ni with oxygen-containing functional groups exhibits a high HER catalytic activity with an overpotential of 83.2 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2). It can also be continuously tested under 1.0 M H2SO4 for 30 h without a corrosion issue of Ni substrate. In addition, the change in the morphological and structural properties of the GO@Ni after testing in H2SO4 was investigated by microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The rate of hydrogen evolution was found to be in the order of 10(-7) mol cm(-2)s(-1) as measured by an in situ electrochemical gas chromatography (GC). The GO@Ni electrode could be an alternative electrocatalyst in the electrolysers towards HER under acidic environment. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.