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NiCo2S4 nanowires array as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting with superior activity
Danni Liu1, Qun Lu, Yonglan Luo
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, Sichuan, China. luqun1125@home.swjtu.edu.cn.
Nanoscale
|September 11, 2015
Summary
A novel nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo2S4) electrocatalyst derived from nickel cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) shows excellent bifunctional activity for water splitting in alkaline conditions, significantly reducing energy requirements.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting is crucial for renewable energy technologies.
- Nickel cobalt oxides are promising but often require further enhancement for optimal performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a highly active and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting.
- To investigate the conversion of nickel cobalt oxide nanowires into nickel cobalt sulfides.
Main Methods:
- Topotactic conversion of NiCo2O4 nanowire arrays on carbon cloth (NA/CC) to NiCo2S4 NA/CC.
- Electrochemical testing in 1.0 M KOH for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
Main Results:
- The NiCo2S4 NA/CC electrode demonstrated superior activity for both hydrogen evolution (100 mA cm-2 at 305 mV overpotential) and oxygen evolution (100 mA cm-2 at 340 mV overpotential).
- An alkaline water electrolyzer using NiCo2S4 NA/CC required a cell voltage of 1.68 V for 10 mA cm-2 current density, which is 300 mV lower than NiCo2O4 NA/CC.
- The NiCo2S4 NA/CC catalyst exhibited good durability.
Conclusions:
- The topotactic conversion method effectively produces NiCo2S4 NA/CC with enhanced electrocatalytic properties.
- NiCo2S4 NA/CC is a promising bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient and stable alkaline water splitting.
