Multi-dimensional composite catalyst NiFeCoMoS/NFF for overall electrochemical water splitting

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Efficient water electrolysis is crucial for clean energy production.
• Designing electrocatalysts with highly active sites at the interface is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel electrocatalyst for enhanced water electrolysis.
• To investigate the structural and electrochemical properties of the NiFeCoMoS/NFF system.

Main Methods:

• Sequential synthesis of CoPVP/NFF and Mo-CoPVP/NFF precursors via hydrothermal procedure.
• Vulcanization at 350°C to form the NiFeCoMoS/NFF electrocatalyst.
• Electrochemical characterization using a three-electrode system and DFT calculations.

Main Results:

• The NiFeCoMoS/NFF catalyst exhibits a complex 1D-2D-3D composite structure.
• Low overpotentials of 123 mV (HER) and 245 mV (OER) at 10 mA cm⁻² were achieved.
• The system generated current densities of 100 mA cm⁻² at 1.87 V.
• DFT calculations confirmed favorable H adsorption and low OER reaction barriers.

Conclusions:

• The NiFeCoMoS/NFF electrocatalyst significantly enhances water electrolysis efficiency.
• Regulating catalyst surface structure is a viable strategy for improving electrocatalyst performance.
• This work offers a promising pathway towards sustainable hydrogen and oxygen production.