Tuning the interface of Ni@Ni(OH)2/Pd/rGO catalyst to enhance hydrogen evolution activity and stability

The interface engineering is vital to rational design and synthesis of the heterogeneous catalyst for high-performance electrochemically applications. The smart and elaborate architecture design offers several remarkable advantages, including good dispersion, more exposed active site and good electrical conductivity. We report a trace Pd induced formation of Ni@Ni(OH)(2)/Pd catalyst on reduced graphene oxides (rGO) by hydrothermal synthesis. We found that the presence of palladium seeds can promote the grain refinement and dispersion of the catalyst. The HRTEM results revealed that most of Ni@Ni(OH)2/Pd with a mean size of similar to 10 nm are uniformly dispersed on the rGO sheets, with Pd particles and Ni@Ni(OH)(2)balls located side by side. DFT calculations further confirmed a strong interaction existed in the interfaces, which leads to a stable Ni@Ni(OH)(2)/Pd/rGO morphology. By tailoring Ni@Ni(OH)(2)-Pd-rGO interfaces of the catalyst, the catalyst gives a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) at a small over-potential of 76 mV and exhibits an excellent stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction in an alkaline environments. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.