Dual Modification Strategy of Nickel Sulfide as pH-Universal Catalysts for Hydrogen Production at Large Current Density
Yun Tong, Dongmei Feng, Pengzuo Chen
Abstract
Developing highly efficient electrocatalysts for large-scale implementation of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at a large current density is critical for renewable H2 fuel. The designed electrocatalysts by non-noble metals are expected to operate well at wide pH conditions, but it remains a major challenge. In this work, a novel dual modification strategy is applied to develop a series of P/Mo modified Ni3S2 on nickel foam (denoted as P-MNS/NF) as pH-universal electrocatalysts for HER. Benefiting from the plentiful catalytic active sites, optimized electronic structure, and improved reaction kinetics, the P-MNS/NF electrode realizes remarkable catalytic activity and stability at a large current density. The optimal P3-MNS3/NF catalyst exhibits the low overpotential of 245 and 243 mV at a high current density of 1 A cm–2 for both alkaline/acidic media. Those are promising performance results compared to those of the other nickel sulfide-based materials. Importantly, this P3-MNS3/NF can also achieve good performance in a neutral electrolyte. This needs a small overpotential of 360 mV to reach the current density of 0.5 A cm–2. Our strategy provides a new method to guide rational design of highly active HER electrocatalysts over a wide pH window.