Inserting ultrafine NiO nanoparticles into amorphous NiP sheets by in situ phase reconstruction for high-stability of the HER catalysts

The P-based electrode electrocatalysts have exhibited high activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but their structural stabilities in the long-term operation of water electrolysis pose a technical challenge for industrial-scale applications. In this study, amorphous NiP sheet arrays with rich active sites were created on nickel foam (NF) by in situ phase reconstruction, and then NiO ultrafine particles were generated within the NiP sheets. The array electrode exhibited not only enhanced catalytic activity verified by 76 mV of HER for NiO@NiP/NF at 10 mA cm(-2), but also excellent structural stability in 1 M KOH solution proved by the fact that the structure of the assembled electrode remained intact after long-term operation at 100 mA cm(-2) for 120 h.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the creation of amorphous NiP sheet arrays with rich active sites on nickel foam, with NiO ultrafine particles generated within the NiP sheets, leading to enhanced catalytic activity and excellent structural stability in the long-term operation.