Hierarchical Crystalline/Amorphous Heterostructure MoNi/NiMoO_x for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution with Industry‐Level Activity and Stability

Abstract

The design of cheap, efficient, and durable electrocatalysts for high‐throughput H2 production is critical to give impetus to hydrogen production from fundamental to practical industrial applications. Here, a hierarchical heterostructure hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst (MoNi/NiMoOx) with 0D MoNi nanoalloys nanoparticles embedded on well‐assembled 1D porous NiMoOx microrods in situ grown on 3D nickel foam (NF) is successfully constructed. The synergetic effect of different building units in the unique hierarchical structure endows the MoNi/NiMoOx composites with the highly active heterogeneous interface with low water dissociation energy (ΔGdiss = −1.2 eV) and optimized hydrogen adsorption ability (ΔGH* = −0.01 eV), fast electron/mass transport, and strong catalyst‐support binding force. As a result, optimal MoNi/NiMoOx exhibits an ampere‐level current density of 1.9 A cm−2 at an ultralow overpotential of 139 mV in 1.0 м KOH and 289 mV in 1.0 м PBS solution, respectively. Particularly, scaled‐up MoNi/NiMoOx electrodes in a 10 × 10 cm2 membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzer reach a high H2 production rate of 12.12 L h−1 (12.12 times than that of commercial NF) and exhibit ultralong stability of 1600 h, verifying its huge potential for industrial hydrogen production.

From Atomic-Level Synthesis to Device-Scale Reactors: A Multiscale Approach to Water Electrolysis

“…38,39 To address this challenge, our group synthesized a 0D/1D hierarchical heterostructure (MoNi/NiMnO x on a 3D porous NF) to enhance the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction. 40 The catalyst effectively manages bubbles, displaying smaller and more rapidly dispersed H 2 bubbles than Pt/C (Figure 5e). The 1D microrod array structure of NiMoO x ensures efficient H 2 bubble removal, leading to stable hydrogen production (Figure 5f).…”

“…In electrochemical processes, gas bubbles can impact reactions, hindering hydrogen production if excessively accumulated on the catalyst surface. , To address this challenge, our group synthesized a 0D/1D hierarchical heterostructure (MoNi/NiMnO x on a 3D porous NF) to enhance the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction . The catalyst effectively manages bubbles, displaying smaller and more rapidly dispersed H 2 bubbles than Pt/C (Figure e).…”

“…(e) Photographs showing the release of H 2 bubbles on the MoNi/NiMoO x and Pt/C surfaces, (f) SEM images and diagrams of bubbles leaving the MoNi/NiMoO x and on the Pt/C electrode and (g) HER test. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 John Wiley & Sons.…”

Te-doped-WSe2/W as a stable monolith catalyst for ampere-level current density hydrogen evolution reaction

“…Both theoretical predictions and experimental findings suggest that the HER activity of TMDs primarily stems from their edges rather than their basal planes. 35,36 Various techniques have been devised to improve the catalytic performance of TMDs, such as defect engineering, 37 heterostructure fabrication, 38 phase conversion 39 and foreign atom doping. 40 Wang et al synthesized metallic WSe 2 nanoscrolls used as electrocatalysts for the HER, demonstrating much enhanced electrocatalytic performance compared to the semiconducting 2H WSe 2 nanoscroll counterparts.…”

Exploring the degradation mechanism of nickel–copper–molybdenum hydrogen evolution catalysts during intermittent operation

“…6 Many efforts have recently been devoted to unraveling their structural–activity relationship and attaining exceptional catalytic activity and endurance under steady state conditions through dynamic dissolution and the construction of alloy-oxide interfaces. 7–10 However, the catalyst must be tolerant to intermittent fluctuating power, deliberate shutdowns and on–off cycles in a realistic scenario, which is of particular importance for green hydrogen production powered by renewable energy. 11,12 In an earlier work, Divisek et al 13 reported a profound deactivation of the Ni–Mo catalyst after a power interruption, accompanied by substantially lowering the Mo amount in the catalyst.…”