Ni foil supported FeNiP nanosheet coupled with NiS as highly efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-09, Vol.45 (46), p.24818-24827
• Main Authors: Li, Hui, Du, Yunmei, Pan, Longhai, Wu, Caiyun, Xiao, Zhenyu, Liu, Yanru, Sun, Xuemei, Wang, Lei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrocatalyst; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Iron-nickel; Nanosheet array; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.06.268

The investigation and development of bimetallic phosphosulphide electrocatalyst with low cost and abundant reserves is extremely significant for the improvement of the efficiency of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), while it remains a challenge. Herein, we explored a feasible method to prepare three-dimensional (3D) self-supported FeNiP-S/NF-5 nanosheet arrays on Ni foil (NF) by hydrothermal method and in situ phosphorization and following sulfurization treatment. The as-obtained FeNiP-S/NF-5 only needs a potential of 183 mV vs. RHE to reach 20 mA cm−2, which is smaller than that of FeNiP/NF (187 mV vs. RHE) and FeNiS/NF-5 (239 mV vs. RHE), presenting excellent electrocatalytic stability. Such outstanding performance of the FeNiP-S/NF-5 can be attributed to following several reasons: (i) bi-metallic phosphide and sulphide have the high intrinsic activity because of its synergistic effect; (ii) the 3D nanosheet arrays structure of FeNiP-S/NF-5 is conducive to expose plentiful active sites and facilitate the electrolyte penetration along with electron transportation; (iii) the sulfurization process followed phosphorization treatment could further optimize their electronic structure and inhibited the surface oxidation of catalyst in the catalytic process. [Display omitted] •NiS modified FeNiP nanosheet electrocatalyst have been synthesized.•The best condition of sulfurization treatment has also been investigated.•The 3D structure and the introduction of NiS can boost activity.