Carbon supported nickel phosphide as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2021-01, Vol.46 (1), p.622-632
• Main Authors: Kumar, Premnath, Murthy, Arun Prasad, Bezerra, Leticia S., Martini, Bibiana K., Maia, Gilberto, Madhavan, Jagannathan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Nickel phosphide; Oxygen evolution reaction; Water splitting
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.09.263

Hydrogen production through water splitting is an efficient and green technology for fulfilling future energy demands. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) supported Ni2P has been synthesized through a simpler hydrothermal method. Ni2P/CNT has been employed as efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions in acidic and alkaline media respectively. The electrocatalyst has exhibited low overpotential of 137 and 360 mV for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions respectively at 10 mA cm−2. Lower Tafel slopes, improved electrochemical active surface area, enhanced stability have also been observed. Advantages of carbon support in terms of activity and stability have been described by comparing with unsupported electrocatalyst. [Display omitted] •Simplest solvothermal route was used to produce Ni2P and Ni2P/CNT.•Ni2P/CNT showed higher activity toward HER and OER.•Ni2P/CNT can be used as a platinum-free electrocatalyst.•Ni2P/CNT can be used as an alternative for water splitting process.