Rhodium Nanoparticle-Supported Graphitic Carbon-Encapsulated Nickel Metal Core Electrocatalyst via Pulsed Laser...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean hydrogen production.
• Acidic electrolytes offer high HER rates but pose stability challenges for catalysts.
• Developing durable and active electrocatalysts for acidic HER remains a key research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel electrocatalysts for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in acidic media.
• To improve catalytic activity, durability, and conductivity of HER catalysts.
• To demonstrate a sustainable synthesis method for advanced electrocatalysts.

Main Methods:

• A two-step pulsed laser ablation and irradiation process was employed for catalyst synthesis.
• Nickel nanoparticles were encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon layers and decorated with iridium (Ir) and rhodium (Rh).
• Electrochemical performance was evaluated in 0.5 M H2SO4, including chronoamperometry for stability testing.

Main Results:

• Synthesized Rh- and Ir-decorated Ni@GC composites exhibited robust metal-support interactions.
• The catalysts demonstrated outstanding HER performance, achieving a current density of 46 mV at 10 mA cm⁻².
• An optimized Rh-Ni@GC electrocatalyst showed excellent stability over 24 hours.
• A low Tafel slope of 36 mV dec⁻¹ indicated efficient catalytic kinetics.

Conclusions:

• The developed Ni@GC composites with noble metal decoration are highly effective electrocatalysts for HER in acidic media.
• The pulsed laser ablation method offers a sustainable and rapid route for producing high-performance electrocatalysts.
• This research provides a promising strategy for advancing electrocatalyst design for efficient hydrogen production.