Devisable POM/Ni Foam Composite: Precisely Control Synthesis toward Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at High pH

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Polyoxometalates (POMs) show promise for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis due to tunable properties.
• Challenges include poor conductivity and catalyst detachment from electrodes, limiting practical application.
• Developing stable and efficient POM-based electrocatalysts is crucial for hydrogen production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize stable POM/Ni foam composites for enhanced HER.
• To investigate the catalytic activity and stability of these novel materials.
• To establish a facile method for creating effective POM-based electrocatalysts.

Main Methods:

• A one-step hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize POM/Ni foam composites (NiM-POM/Ni; M=Co, Zn, Mn).
• Electrochemical characterization was performed to evaluate HER performance, including overpotential and Tafel slope.
• Stability was assessed through post-catalytic analysis.

Main Results:

• The NiCo-POM/Ni composite exhibited superior HER performance with an overpotential of 64 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 75 mV dec⁻¹.
• High faradaic efficiency (≈97%) was achieved for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
• The NiCo-POM/Ni catalyst demonstrated excellent mechanical and chemical stability after testing.

Conclusions:

• A simple and cost-effective hydrothermal method enables the synthesis of stable POM/Ni foam composites for HER.
• The developed NiCo-POM/Ni catalyst offers a promising solution for efficient and durable alkaline water electrolysis.
• This work provides a pathway for designing advanced POM-based electrocatalysts for clean energy applications.