Pulse Electrodeposition of a Superhydrophilic and Binder-Free Ni–Fe–P Nanostructure as Highly Active and Durable Electrocatalyst for Both Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Abstract

Development and fabrication of electrodes with favorable electrocatalytic activity, low-cost, and excellent electrocatalytic durability are one of the most important issues in the hydrogen production area using the electrochemical water splitting process. We use the pulse electrodeposition method as a versatile and cost-effective approach to synthesize three-dimensional Ni−Fe−P electrocatalysts on nickel nanostructures under various applied frequencies and duration times, in which nanostructures exhibit excellent intrinsic electrocatalytic activity. Benefiting from the threedimensional structure, as well as the simultaneous presence of the three elements nickel, iron, and phosphorus, the electrode fabricated at the optimal conditions has indicated outstanding electrocatalytic activity with a η 10 of 66 and 198 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively, in a 1.0 M KOH solution. Also, the water electrolysis cell constructed with this electrode and tested as a bifunctional electrode exhibited 1.508 V for 10 mA cm −2 in overall water splitting. In addition, the lowest amount of potential change in 100 mA cm −2 was observed for HER and OER, indicating excellent electrocatalytic stability. This study proposes a binder-free and economical technique for the synthesis of three-dimensional electrocatalysts.

Fabrication of Cerium-Doped CoMoP/MoP@C Heterogeneous Nanorods with High Performance for Overall Water Splitting

“…Consequently, bimetallic or even polymetallic phosphides tend to show better electrocatalytic activity. Many bimetallic electrocatalysts, such as Co–Mo–P, , Co–Ni–P, , Ni–Fe–P, , and Co–Fe–P, have been applied to water splitting so far. Density functional theory (DFT) showed that the Mo atom had a strong adsorption effect on hydrogen, which easily led to the deactivation of the catalyst surface occupied for a long time, while the Co element could weaken this effect, implying that the combination of Co, Mo, and P potentially improved the catalytic performance for water electrolysis.…”

Superaerophobic/superhydrophilic surfaces as advanced electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction: a comprehensive review

“…In one of our studies, 218 by utilizing the pulse electrodeposition method under different applied frequencies and synthesis durations as a simple and cost-saving process, 3D Ni-Fe-P nanostructures on a Ni nanocones and Cu sheet substrate was fabricated (Ni-Fe-P/Ni/CS) as an efficient and superhydrophilic electrocatalyst for the HER and OER. The electrocatalytic performance of the as-fabricated electrode was investigated in an alkaline electrolyte.…”

“…Copyright 2021, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). (e) FESEM images of the electrodes produced at f ¼ 1 Hz and durations of 600 s and (f) 1800 s. Reprinted with permission 218. Copyright 2020, American Chemical Society.…”

Janus Mo2P3 Monolayer as an Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

“…Among the various HER catalysts, transition-metal phosphides (TMPs) have drawn great attention due to their earth abundance, adjustable catalytic activity, and inherent metallicity. Some TMPs such as nickel phosphides, cobalt phosphides, molybdenum phosphides, iron phosphides, Rh 2 P, Co 0.75 Rh 1.25 P, Ni–Fe–P, and Mn–Co 2 P/Ni 2 P have been extensively studied and shown good HER activity. The P atoms in TMPs are the active sites formed because the negatively charged P atoms can capture positively charged protons .…”