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Amine-Modulated/Engineered Interfaces of NiMo Electrocatalysts for Improved Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline
Wei Gao1,2, Wangyan Gou1, Xuemei Zhou1
1Center for Applied Chemical Research, Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an 710049, P. R. China.
Modifying nickel-molybdenum (NiMo) nanoparticles with amines enhances their performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Ethylenediamine significantly reduces the energy required for HER catalysis in alkaline solutions.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Electrocatalyst performance and stability are heavily influenced by the electrolyte-catalyst interface.
- Nickel-molybdenum (NiMo) nanoparticles are promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of surface modification with amines on NiMo nanoparticle electrocatalytic activity for HER.
- To explore amine-induced interfacial property tuning for enhanced HER performance in alkaline media.
Main Methods:
- Surface functionalization of NiMo nanoparticles with various adsorbed amines.
- Electrochemical characterization, including overpotential measurements for HER.
- Analysis of interfacial properties and electronic structure modulation.
Main Results:
- Adsorbed amines successfully tuned the interfacial properties of NiMo nanoparticles.
- Diamines, particularly ethylenediamine, significantly improved HER activity by reducing charge-transfer resistance.
- Ethylenediamine decreased the HER overpotential by 268 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 M KOH compared to unmodified NiMo.
Conclusions:
- Surface modification with amines is a viable strategy to enhance NiMo electrocatalyst performance for HER.
- Tuning interfacial properties through amine adsorption offers a novel approach to improve electrocatalyst efficiency and stability.
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