Ni(II)-Dimeric Complex-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Graphitized Carbon-Encapsulated Nickel Nanoparticles: Efficient Trifunctional Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Oxygen Evolution Reaction, and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The successful commercialization of fuel cells and electrolyzer is limited to the cost and instability issues associated with electrocatalysts (platinum/platinum-based catalysts) used. Hence, there is critical challenge to develop stable, non-platinum-based catalysts with multifunctionality and better durability that can efficiently replace platinum. While a sufficient number of bifunctional catalysts are now known in the literature, development of trifunctional catalyst is rarely reported. Herein, we report the development of nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon-encapsulated Ni nanoparticles-based catalyst (Ni-NC700) from an easy derivable Ni­(II)-dimeric complex. Microstructural studies reveal that the catalyst annealed at 700 °C has 4–5 layers of graphene sheets forming a shell surrounding the Ni nanoparticles. This catalyst exhibits outstanding trifunctional catalytic performance with onset potential of 0.86, 1.52, and −0.02 V (vs RHE) for oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and hydrogen evolution reaction, respectively. The long-term accelerated durability test and methanol tolerance test confirm better stability and durability of this catalyst than those of the benchmark Pt/C. The development of N-doped graphitized carbon shell-encapsulated Ni nanoparticles from a small binuclear Ni­(II) complex will open a new horizon for the synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts with trifunctionality.

Layer‐by‐Layer Motif Heteroarchitecturing of N,S‐Codoped Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Wrapped Ni/NiS Nanoparticles for the Electrochemical Oxidation of Water

“…Moreover, the heating in inert atmosphere improves the graphitic carbon, which leads to a remarkable enhancement in the conductivity of rGO. [30,31] On the other hand, multiple co-doping heteroatoms into carbonaceous materials have been extensively studied as electrodes for HER and OER. [18,21,31,32] The incorporation of heteroatoms could regulate the electronic structure and increase the number of active sites, making the catalyst with new catalytic functions and enhanced performance.…”

“…[30,31] On the other hand, multiple co-doping heteroatoms into carbonaceous materials have been extensively studied as electrodes for HER and OER. [18,21,31,32] The incorporation of heteroatoms could regulate the electronic structure and increase the number of active sites, making the catalyst with new catalytic functions and enhanced performance. [33][34][35] A large number of studies on heteroatom-doped materials have been reported but seldom on using the co-doped materials as substrates for transition metal carbides and sulfides.…”

Thermal and light irradiation effects on the electrocatalytic performance of hemoglobin modified Co3O4-g-C3N4 nanomaterials for the oxygen evolution reaction

“…Pt for HER and RuO2/IrO2 for OER). [8][9][10][11] Among all these chemical elements, Cobalt-based materials have been extensively investigated for water oxidation through different approaches, including oxides, 12,13 hydroxides, 14,15 chalcogenides, 16 carbides, 17 nitrides, 18 silicates, 19 phosphides, 20,21 alloys, 22,23 etc., to name only a few. Another interesting strategy is focused on Cobalt-supported onto conducting carbonaceous composite materials, such as graphene, 24 carbon nanotubes, 25,26 and its nitrogen-derivatives.…”

A Review of Carbon‐Supported Nonprecious Metals as Energy‐Related Electrocatalysts

“…One well‐known framework is transition metal‐decorated N‐doped carbons (MNC, M denotes transition metal such as Fe, Co, and Cu), [ 46 ] which have demonstrated great promise for catalyzing ORR, [ 30a ] OER, [ 47 ] HER, [ 42 ] CO 2 RR, [ 48 ] and in multifunctional electrocatalysis. [ 49 ] For instance, FeNC is a promising platinum‐group‐metal‐free (PGM‐free) ORR catalyst, whose high ORR activity is widely believed to be associated with the FeN x configuration.…”