Nickel nanoparticles oriented on carbon materials as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing efficient non-noble metal electrocatalysts is crucial for addressing energy and environmental challenges.
• The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a key process for clean hydrogen production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate nickel nanoparticles anchored on carbon (Ni/C) as a non-noble metal electrocatalyst for HER.
• To investigate the structural advantages of the Ni/C nanostructure for enhanced catalytic activity and stability.

Main Methods:

• Facile one-step thermal treatment was employed to synthesize Ni/C electrocatalysts.
• Electrocatalytic HER performance was evaluated in an alkaline solution, measuring overpotential and Tafel slope.
• Long-term stability testing was conducted to assess catalyst durability.

Main Results:

• The synthesized Ni/C-0.8 material demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic HER performance.
• An overpotential of -132 mV at -10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 117 mV dec⁻¹ were achieved.
• The Ni/C-0.8 catalyst exhibited remarkable stability during prolonged operation.

Conclusions:

• The nanostructure of Ni/C facilitates mass transfer, exposes active sites, and promotes H₂ gas release, leading to superior HER performance.
• This work presents a promising strategy for designing cost-effective and stable non-noble metal electrocatalysts for HER.
• The developed Ni/C electrocatalyst offers a viable alternative to precious metal catalysts for clean energy applications.