Integrating CoNiSe2 Nanorod-arrays onto N-doped Sea-sponge-C spheres for highly efficient electrocatalysis of hydrogen evolution reaction

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2022-10, Vol.446, p.137335, Article 137335
• Main Authors: Wang, Zifang, Tian, Yakun, Wen, Ming, Wu, Qingsheng, Zhu, Quanjing, Fu, YongQing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CoNiSe2 nanorod-arrays; Electrocatalysis; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Sea-sponge-C; Seawater
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137335

[Display omitted] •CoNiSe2 has improved HER catalytic performance due to synergies of Co and Ni atoms.•N-SSCSs help to accelerate electron transfer and ion diffusion of CoNiSe2/N-SSCSs.•CoNiSe2/N-SSCSs shows excellent HER performance in 1.0 M KOH, closing to Pt/C.•CoNiSe2/N-SSCSs also has good HER performance in alkaline simulated seawater. A key issue for enhancing performance of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by utilizing seawater for sustainable clean energy is to develop a highly efficient, stable and economical electrocatalyst. Herein, a uniquely hierarchical nanostructure of CoNiSe2 nanorod-arrays (NRAs) integrated onto N-doped sea-sponge-carbon spheres (CoNiSe2/N-SSCSs) was designed and synthesized using successive ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) and solvothermal - hydrothermal selenization (SHS) processes. Attributed to intrinsic HER activity of CoNiSe2 NRAs together with effective electron-transfer and ion-diffusion pathways of N-SSCSs, the CoNiSe2/N-SSCSs nanocomposites exhibited highly stable HER electrocatalytic performances in both alkaline electrolytes and alkaline simulated seawater. The required overpotential is as low as 88 mV with a Tafel slope of 83 mV dec−1 at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH, which are comparable to the electrode of commercial Pt/C (η10 = 35 mV &b = 58 mV dec−1).