Construction of heterostructure interface with FeNi2S4 and CoFe nanowires as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting and urea electrolysis

The design of high-performance non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts for electro-oxidation reactions involving splitting of water molecule for energy and environmental applications is the need of the hour. In this study, we report the electrocatalytic performance of a nanocomposite catalyst of FeNi2S4 nanoparticles/CoFe nanowires supported on nickel foam that was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The electrocatalyst has several advantages, such as the nanocomposite structure, relatively high electrical conductivity, and synergistic effect between FeNi2S4 and CoFe. These characteristics enhanced the catalytic efficiency of FeNi2S4/CoFe electrode, gaining small overpotentials of 380 and 207 mV for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions, respectively, at a current density of 100 mA cm-2. The charge transfer processes are significantly improved by the electron pairs from FeNi2S4 and CoFe, as well as by the enhanced active sites at the electrode -electrolyte interface and their bonding interactions. The electrooxidation of urea was also explored, which showed a lower overpotential of 230 mV to reach 100 mA cm(-2) current density. Interestingly, FeNi2S4/CoFe was successfully employed as cathode and anode for urea-assisted water electrolysis, utilizing 1.56 V to produce 10 mA cm(-2) current density, which is approximately 160 mV below that for water electrolysis, thus verifying the lower energy consumption during electrolysis. These results indicate that nanoparticle and nanowire composite catalysts can be used for wastewater treatment and green energy production applications.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a nanocomposite catalyst of FeNi2S4 nanoparticles/CoFe nanowires supported on nickel foam was prepared and showed excellent electrocatalytic performance. The FeNi2S4/CoFe electrode exhibited small overpotentials for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions and improved charge transfer processes. Furthermore, it also showed promising potential for urea-assisted water electrolysis with lower energy consumption. These results highlight the applications of nanoparticle and nanowire composite catalysts in wastewater treatment and green energy production.