Interlayer-bonded Ni/MoO2 electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction with stability over 6000 h at 1000 mA cm−2
Anrui Dong, Gaoxin Lin, Zhiheng Li, Wen‐Wei Wu, Xing Cao, Wenlong Li, Linqin Wang, Yilong Zhao, Dexin Chen, Licheng Sun
Abstract
The mechanical stability of the catalytic electrodes used for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) is crucial for their industrial applications in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEM-WE). This study develops a corrosion strategy to construct a self-supported electrocatalyst (Int-Ni/MoO2) with high mechanical stability by anchoring the Ni/MoO2 catalytic layer with a dense interlayer of MoO2 nanoparticles. The Int-Ni/MoO2 exhibits a strengthened homostructural interface between the interlayer and catalytic layer, preventing the detachment of the catalyst during ultrasonic treatment. The blade-shaped catalytic layer reduces bubble shock and potential fluctuations at high current densities up to −6000 mA cm−2. As a result, the Int-Ni/MoO2 electrode exhibits a low overpotential of 73.2 ± 14.2 mV and long-term stability for 6000 h at −1000 mA cm−2 in a 1 M KOH solution. The Int-Ni/MoO2 assembled AEM-WE device demonstrates long-term stability at 1000 mA cm−2 for 1000 h with a very low degradation rate of 3.96 µV h−1. The mechanical stability of catalytic electrodes is crucial for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. Here, the authors report a corrosion strategy to construct an electrode with high mechanical stability by anchoring a blade-shaped catalytic layer onto a dense interlayer.