Promoting Nonacid Hydrogen Evolution over Ni<sub>4</sub>Mo/Cu by D-Band Regulation
Yue Yao, Enlai Hu, Zhiyu Wang, Yuanjing Cui, Guodong Qian
Abstract
The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for Ni 4 Mo alloys in neutral and alkaline mediums is mainly restricted by the desorption of H atoms. Herein, Ni 4 Mo/Cu nanowires with abundant interfaces are constructed for enhanced HER activity by regulation of the d-band center. The obtained Ni 4 Mo/Cu exhibits ultralow overpotentials of 11 and 18 mV at 10 mA cm –2 in neutral and alkaline mediums, respectively. It is worth noting that the neutral activity represents the best among the non-noble-metal neutral HER catalysts. Spectral experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that the enhanced performance is mainly attributed to the downshift of the d-band center, which is favorable for the dissociation of H 2 O and desorption of H atoms.