Dominating Role of Ni0on the Interface of Ni/NiO for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.
The research of a robust catalytic system based on single NiOxelectrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a huge challenge. Particularly, the factors that dominate the catalytic properties of NiOx-based hybrids for HER have not been clearly demonstrated. Herein, a convenient protocol for the fabrication of NiOx@bamboo-like carbon nanotube hybrids (NiOx@BCNTs) is designed. The hybrids exhibit superb catalytic ability and considerable durability in alkaline solution. A benchmark HER current density of 10 mA cm-2has been achieved at an overpotential of ∼79 mV. In combination with the experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this for the first time definitely validates that the inherent high Ni0ratio and the Ni0on the interface of Ni/NiO play a vital role in the outstanding catalytic performance. Especially, the Ni0on the interface of Ni/NiO performs superior activity for water splitting compared with that of bulk Ni0. These conclusions provide guidance for the rational design of the future non-noble metallic catalysts.
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Jing
J
Wang
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Shanjun
S
Mao
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Zeyan
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9237-7603
Z
Liu
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Zhongzhe
Z
Wei
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Haiyan
H
Wang
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Yiqing
Y
Chen
Advanced Materials and Catalysis Group, Center for Chemistry of High-performance and Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310028, P. R. China.
Yong
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8043-5757
Y
Wang
DFT; NiOx-based hybrids; electrocatalysis; hydrogen evolution reaction; interface