Tuning the Electronic Structure of Cobalt Selenide on Copper Foam by Introducing a Ni Buffer Layer for Highly Efficient Electrochemical Water Splitting

Abstract

The development of a cost-effective, remarkably competent, and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst is the foremost requirement of water splitting to generate H2 fuel as a renewable energy technology. Three-dimensional porous copper foam (Cuf) when electrochemically decorated with transition metal selenide results in a highly active electrocatalyst for adequate water electrolysis. In terms of water splitting, the role of cobalt selenide and Cuf has already proven to be remarkable. The introduction of a Ni buffer layer between Cuf and cobalt selenide (Cuf@Ni-CoSe2) acts as a valve to enhance the electron thrust from the substrate to the material surface with no compromise in the overall material conductivity, which not only increases the efficiency and activity but also improves the stability of the catalyst. The self-supported synthesized catalyst material showed an admirable activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media. The performance of the catalyst was found to be significantly better than that of the noble catalyst RuO2. The catalyst was very stable up to 93 h and attained a full cell voltage of only 1.52 V at a current density of 10 mA cm–2. Therefore, for large-scale hydrogen production, this as-synthesized catalyst hss the potential to replace conventional fossil fuel-based energy systems.

Vacancy-fused multiple layers of copper sulfoselenide superstructures: a propitious HER electrocatalyst in acidic medium

“…[38][39][40] Moreover, modification of the electronic structure enhances the adsorption process of H* to enhance the electrochemical activity towards HER. 41,42 In this line, Wang et al have developed a Co(S x Se 1-x ) 2 nanowire as a stable and active catalyst for HERs. 43 Another example is that the increase in activity with the MoS 2 system via incorporating Se over a carbon cloth was studied by Pu et al 34 Moreover, the very interesting work by Meng et al who developed an in situ catalyst like NiS-Ni 9 S 8 -NiSe shows a low overpotential of 120 mV at 10 mA cm −2 .…”

Self-Supporting Co/CeO2 Heterostructures for Ampere-Level Current Density Alkaline Water Electrolysis

“…It is imperative to develop inexpensive, readily available, and highly active non-precious metal catalysts. Metallic cobalt (Co) has the advantages of competitive reserves as well as prices, and it has proved to be a promising electrocatalyst. − However, the HER and OER activities of the currently reported Co electrodes are not satisfactory. − Therefore, it is very important to further improve their catalytic performances to meet the requirements of industrialization. Interfacial interactions can precisely regulate the electronic and geometric configuration of the active sites, which significantly affects the performance and durability of the catalyst .…”

Inter-Electronic Interaction between Ni and Mo in Electrodeposited Ni–Mo–P on 3D Copper Foam Enables Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at Low Overpotential

“…25 The electrodeposition method for the catalyst synthesis is an emerging route because of several associated advantages such as being a single-step, less time-consuming, binder-free, and cost-effective method having controlled growth. 26 Here, in this work, using a simple electrodeposition technique, we have developed the two phases of nickel molybdenum phosphide (NiMoP and Ni 6 Mo 2 P 3 ) on Cuf (Ni−Mo−P@Cuf). Due to the advantages of copper foam (Cuf) 27 as a current collector prepared via the DHBT technique and mixed phased of Ni− Mo−P, the catalyst showed a commendable activity toward HER with a lower overpotential of only 53 mV at a current density of 20 mA cm −2 with an outstanding stability.…”

“…The electrodeposition method for the catalyst synthesis is an emerging route because of several associated advantages such as being a single-step, less time-consuming, binder-free, and cost-effective method having controlled growth . Here, in this work, using a simple electrodeposition technique, we have developed the two phases of nickel molybdenum phosphide (NiMoP and Ni 6 Mo 2 P 3 ) on Cuf (Ni–Mo–P@Cuf).…”