NiCoP-CoP heterostructural nanowires grown on hierarchical Ni foam as a novel electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

The design and manufacture of effective non-noble metal catalysts for the H-2 evolution reaction (HER) are urgent for realizing a cost-effective hydrogen production. We report herein on flower-like structures consisting of NiCoP-CoP heterostructural nanowires grown directly on the hierarchically porous nickel framework (NiCoP-CoP/Ni/NF) to achieve a highly efficient HER in alkaline solution (1.0 M KOH). The NiCoP-CoP/Ni/NF is synthesized by electrodeposition of porous Ni layers on Ni foam, followed by simple hydrothermal reaction and phosphorization. For HER, the binder-free NiCoP-CoP/Ni/NF electrode can reach 10 mA cm(-2) current density at a quite low overpotential of 49 mV, because of the combination of porous Ni layers and highly active NiCoP-CoP nanowires. In addition, the NiCoP/CoP heterostructures exhibited remarkable stability under the long-term durability test. This work provides a new strategy that combines electrodeposition and hydrothermal reaction to synthesize effective HER catalysts. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.

Automated summary

This study presents a new strategy for synthesizing effective HER catalysts by combining electrodeposition and hydrothermal reaction to grow flower-like structures consisting of NiCoP-CoP heterostructural nanowires on hierarchically porous nickel framework. The NiCoP-CoP/Ni/NF electrode shows high efficiency in alkaline solution and remarkable stability under long-term durability test, making it a promising candidate for cost-effective hydrogen production.