CoNi2S4 nanoparticles as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-02, Vol.42 (5), p.3043-3050
• Main Authors: Wang, Dezhi, Zhang, Xiangyong, Du, Zijie, Mo, Zheyang, Wu, Yefeng, Yang, Qing, Zhang, Yi, Wu, Zhuangzhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline media; Binary metal catalyst; CoNi2S4; Hydrogen evolution reaction
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.115

The development of highly active non-Pt electrocatalysts with superior stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a great challenge. Herein, we report CoNi2S4 nanoparticles synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the HER in strongly alkaline electrolyte for the first time, and the effect of preparation temperature was also discussed systematically. These as-prepared catalysts exhibited superior HER activity compared to other non-noble metal catalysts and the catalyst obtained at 220 °C showed the best activity with the smallest Tafel slope of 85 mV dec−1 and good stability in 1.0 M KOH, making it a promising candidate to replace Pt-based catalysts. •CoNi2S4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared through a hydrothermal method.•CoNi2S4 nanoparticles were demonstrated to be highly efficient HER catalysts.•The HER activity of CoNi2S4 was strongly affected by the preparation temperature.•The optimized preparation temperature is 220 °C with the best HER activity.