Interface engineering of NiMoS_x heterostructure nanorods for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Efficient and stable electrocatalysts are essential for advancing water electrolysis technology.
• Interface engineering offers a promising strategy to enhance catalytic activity by modifying electronic structures.
• Developing cost-effective and high-performance catalysts is critical for sustainable hydrogen production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize NiMoSₓ heterostructure nanorods for efficient water oxidation.
• To investigate the role of heterogeneous interfaces in enhancing electrocatalytic activity.
• To evaluate the performance of NiMoSₓ as an anode material for water electrolysis.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis of NiMoSₓ heterostructure nanorods on nickel foam.
• Electrochemical characterization including oxygen evolution reaction (OER) measurements.
• Long-term stability testing in 1 M KOH solution.

Main Results:

• NiMoSₓ heterostructure nanorods exhibited excellent OER activity with low overpotentials (η100 = 279 mV, η1000 = 436 mV) and a Tafel slope of 72.3 mV dec⁻¹.
• The self-supporting electrode demonstrated over 200 hours of stable durability.
• Water electrolysis using NiMoSₓ as anode material achieved 10 mA cm⁻² at 1.48 V.

Conclusions:

• NiMoSₓ heterostructure nanorods are highly effective electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution.
• Interface engineering in NiMoSₓ heterostructures provides abundant active sites and optimized intermediate adsorption.
• This work presents a valuable interface regulation strategy for designing advanced heterostructure electrocatalysts for water electrolysis.