Nickel and nickel phosphide nanoparticles embedded in electrospun carbon fibers as favourable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution

Design of Electroactive Carbon Fibers Decorated with Metal and Metal‐Phosphide Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Evolution Technology

“…The obvious morphological changes in the fiber structure were caused by incorporation of nanoparticles of individual metal and/or metal phosphides into the carbon structure. The morphology of carbon fibers with embedded nickel‐phosphide nanoparticles essentially confirms the structure, which was explained in detail in our previous work . For comparison of all samples prepared under the same conditions, the carbon fibers with incorporated nickel phosphide nanoparticles are illustrated again.…”

“…The thermal treatment without previous preoxidation process (preoxidation or stabilization here means heat treatment in air at up to 300 °C) was employed for the preparation of carbon fibers doped with metal phosphide nanoparticles (spun from PAN/metal chloride precursors mixed with phosphoric acid). The reason for utilization of the stabilization process and morphological changes of the final fibers was described in our previous work . However, the unfavorable side‐effect of the stabilization process is the removal of the hydrogen needed for the early formation of the phosphides, because the hydrogen could otherwise produce phosphides even without the use of a reducing atmosphere.…”

“…TOF values calculated using the surface area ( S ext ) measured by BET method (Table ) as well using theoretical surface area based on average particle size are summarized in Table . This calculation was described in detail in our previous article …”

“…PAN (30 g) was consecutively added to the prepared chloride solution and mixed at 80 °C for 2 h. The final spun PAN/metal chloride/H 3 PO 4 solution was prepared by addition of H 3 PO 4 (300 μL) dropwise, followed by vigorous mixing for 1 h at 90 °C after total homogenization of the solution. Note that the molar set up of individual components of the spun solution as well as addition of H 3 PO 4 were adjusted based on previous experimental knowledge reported in the previous work …”

Ni‐Assisted Low Temperature Synthesis of MoCx with Enhanced HER Activity

“…The high‐resolution Ni 2p 3/2 spectrum of MoC x /Ni‐650 in Figure a is totally different from that of Ni/C‐650, featuring two extra peaks located at 856.2 and 858 eV, followed by a satellite peak. The peak at 852.6 eV indicates the presence of metallic Ni peak (Ni 0 ), those at 853.6 eV and 854.8 eV are assigned to NiO and the Ni−C bonding, respectively. Impressively, the extra peak of 856.2 eV in MoC x /Ni‐650 should be attributed to Ni−Mo−O species .…”