Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles encapsulated in conductive nanowire array for high-performance alkaline seawater oxidation
Longcheng Zhang, Jiaqian Wang, Pengyu Liu, Jie Liang, Yongsong Luo, Guanwei Cui, Bo Tang, Qian Liu, Xuedong Yan, Haigang Hao, Meiling Liu, Rui Gao, Xuping Sun
Abstract
Design and development of high-efficiency and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is crucial for hydrogen production from seawater splitting. Herein, we report the in situ electrochemical conversion of a nanoarray of Ni(TCNQ)2 (TCNQ = tetracyanoquinodimethane) on graphite paper into Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles confined in a conductive TCNQ nanoarray (Ni(OH)2-TCNQ/GP) by anode oxidation. The Ni(OH)2-TCNQ/GP exhibits high OER performance and demands overpotentials of 340 and 382 mV to deliver 100 mA·cm−2 in alkaline freshwater and alkaline seawater, respectively. Meanwhile, the Ni(OH)2-TCNQ/GP also demonstrates steady long-term electrochemical durability for at least 80 h under alkaline seawater.