A Cost-Efficient Bifunctional Ultrathin Nanosheets Array for Electrochemical Overall Water Splitting

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrochemical water splitting is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production.
• Development of cost-effective, high-performance catalysts is essential.
• Earth-abundant materials are preferred over precious metal catalysts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate superior bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting.
• To utilize earth-abundant, cost-efficient materials for enhanced catalytic activity.
• To investigate the performance and durability of novel catalyst structures.

Main Methods:

• Direct growth of ultrathin Ni-based nanosheet arrays on nickel foam (NF).
• Fabrication of optimized Ni5Fe layered double hydroxide nanosheets on NF (Ni5Fe LDH@NF).
• Electrochemical testing in alkaline conditions for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Main Results:

• Ni5Fe LDH@NF exhibited low overpotentials: 210 mV for OER and 133 mV for HER at 10 mA cm⁻².
• The catalyst demonstrated a low potential of 1.59 V for overall water splitting at 10 mA cm⁻².
• Superior durability was observed at a high current density of 50 mA cm⁻².

Conclusions:

• Ultrathin Ni-based nanosheets arrays offer a promising strategy for efficient water splitting electrocatalysts.
• The Ni5Fe LDH@NF catalyst demonstrates excellent bifunctional activity and stability.
• This work provides a pathway for developing cost-effective catalysts for sustainable energy applications.