Controlled synthesis and high performance of Zn-Ni-Co-M (M = O, S, P and Se) nanoneedle arrays as an advanced electrode for overall water splitting

Exploring and designing multicomponent transition-metal sulfides, phosphides and selenides has been identified as an fascinating approach to promote the water splitting performance of single-component transition-metal sulfides, phosphides and selenides. However, this is rarely reported about water splitting applications of quaternary sulfides, phosphides and selenides. In this work, the Zn-Ni-Co-M (M = O, S, P and Se) nanoneedle arrays was in situ grown on nickel foam (Zn-Ni-Co-M/NF) for the first time by typical hydrothermal, sulfurization, phosphorization, and selenylation methods. In a typical three-electrode device, a small overpotential of 190 mV is obtained at 50 mA cm(-2) for water oxidation reaction utilizing the new Zn-Ni-Co-S/NF as anodic material. Moreover, a small overpotential of 94 mV was required at 10 mA cm(-2) for water reduction reaction when the new Zn-Ni-Co-P/NF sample is utilized as cathode material. The assembled electrolytic cell with Zn-Ni-Co-S/NF as the positive electrode and Zn-Ni-Co-P/NF as the negative material displays a superior electrocatalytic activity (1.52 V@10 mA cm(-2)) and a relatively surprising durability. The accessible and novel strategy for Zn-Ni-Co-M (M = O, S, P and Se) preparation provide a new view to develop new overall water splitting electrocatalyst with a superior activity and durability.

Automated summary

The study successfully synthesized Zn-Ni-Co-M (M = O, S, P, and Se) nanoneedle arrays on nickel foam for the first time using typical synthesis methods. The Zn-Ni-Co-S material exhibited a small overpotential for water oxidation, while the Zn-Ni-Co-P material showed a relatively small overpotential for water reduction. The assembled electrolytic cell with Zn-Ni-Co-S/NF as the positive electrode and Zn-Ni-Co-P/NF as the negative material displayed superior electrocatalytic activity and durability.