Ni₁₂P₅ Nanoparticles as an Efficient Catalyst for Hydrogen Generation via Electrolysis and Photoelectrolysis

Abstract

The exploitation of a low-cost catalyst is desirable for hydrogen generation from electrolysis or photoelectrolysis. In this study we have demonstrated that nickel phosphide (Ni12P5) nanoparticles have efficient and stable catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The catalytic performance of Ni12P5 nanoparticles is favorably comparable to those of recently reported efficient nonprecious catalysts. The optimal overpotential required for 20 mA/cm(2) current density is 143 ± 3 mV in acidic solution (H2SO4, 0.5 M). The catalytic activity of Ni12P5 is likely to be correlated with the charged natures of Ni and P. Ni12P5 nanoparticles were introduced to silicon nanowires, and the power conversion efficiency of the resulting composite is larger than that of silicon nanowires decorated with platinum particles. This result demonstrates the promising application potential of metal phosphide in photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.

Tunable and Specific Formation of C@NiCoP Peapods with Enhanced HER Activity and Lithium Storage Performance

“…Specifically,C o-based and Ni-based phosphide compounds with metallic characteristics and good electricalc onductivity have been shown to act as efficient HER catalysts, such as CoP,C o 2 P, Ni 2 P, Ni 12 P 5 ,a nd so on. [6][7][8][9] At the same time, as fossil fuels are being exhausted, the development of high energyd ensity,h igh rate capability,a nd long cycle life energy storage systemsi su rgent to satisfy the need for electricv ehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are regarded as one of the most promising devices, have attractedt remendous adherents in thep ast decades.…”

“…[7,9,14] However,numerousefforts have been devoted to developingm ethods for the preparation of pure-phased Co-and Ni-based phosphide. Co-andN i-based phosphides have showns ome amazingp otential when applied in the fields of catalyst,e nergy storage, magnets, and so on.…”

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Property of Molybdenum Disulfide/Nickel Phosphide Hybrids in Alkaline Solution

“…As shown in Figure 3c, the three peaks observed at 857.2 eV, 858.9 eV and 862.8 eV may be assigned to Ni δ+ (0 < δ < 2) in Ni2P, oxidized Ni species (Ni 2+ ) and the satellite of Ni 2p3/2, respectively, As shown in Figure 3c, the three peaks observed at 857.2 eV, 858.9 eV and 862.8 eV may be assigned to Ni δ+ (0 < δ < 2) in Ni 2 P, oxidized Ni species (Ni 2+ ) and the satellite of Ni 2p 3/2 , respectively, while the other three peaks at 875.0 eV, 876.8 eV, and 881.2 eV can be indexed to Ni δ+ in Ni 2 P, oxidized Ni species, and the satellite of Ni 2p 1/2 [58]. As for the P 2p spectra (Figure 3d), the peak at 130.2 eV is mark of metal-P bonds in metal phosphides, the peak at 133.7 eV can be assumed to the oxidized P species because the samples are exposed to the air [59].…”

Bright ways to utilize the sun

“…106,115,[127][128][129][130] The edge sites of molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) are analogous to the active center of the nitrogenase enzyme, while some surface cations of the first-row transition metal dichalcogenides resemble the ligand number and symmetry of active centers in hydrogenases (NiFe-hydrogenase, FeFe-hydrogenase, or Fehydrogenase). 116,131 The electronic structures of group VI transition metal carbides are similar to those of Pt-group metals. 132 Metal (Ni or Co) and P in metal phosphides have charged properties similar to those of the hydride and proton acceptors in NiFehydrogenase and its analogues.…”

“…133 These reports suggest that mimicking the coordination or electron structures of active sites of high-performance noble metal catalysts or enzymes is an efficient approach to the development of new non-precious HER catalysts. 131 However, there are more important factors for assessing whether an electrocatalyst is well-suited for incorporation onto Si MW or NW arrays. Firstly, at the mass loadings needed to provide high activity under solar illumination, the catalyst must not significantly absorb incident light.…”