Preparation of mesoporous Ni2P nanobelts with high performance for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and supercapacitor

The development of bifunctional electrochemically -active materials for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and supercapacitors enables the possibility to integrate energy storage and production into one single system. Here, we report a novel bifunctional mesoporous Ni2P nanobelt-like architecture prepared via the hydrothermal synthesis of Ni(SO4)(0.3)(OH)(1.4) nanobelt precursor and subsequent low temperature phosphorization process under Ar atmosphere. Composed of numerous cross-linked Ni2P nanoparticles, the as-obtained Ni2P nanobelts exhibit a two dimensional leaf-like morphology, allowing remarkable enhancement of mesoporosity as well as active surface area. The HER electrocatalytic test in acid medium show a current density of 16 mA cm(-2) at an overpotential of 187 mV, Tafel slope of 62 mV dec(-1) and long-term durability. Investigation of this Ni2P nanobelts as supercapacitor materials in 2M KOH electrolyte display a high specific capacity ranging from 1074 F g(-1) at 0.625 A g(-1) to 554 F g(-1) at 25 A g(-1), and notable cycling life with 86.7% retention after 3000 cycles at 10 A g(-1). With the simplicity of the synthetic routine and the outstanding performance as both HER catalysts and supercapacitors, the Ni2P nanobelts provide promising potential for energy devices. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.