Construction of heterostructure interface with FeNi2S4 and CoFe nanowires as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting and urea electrolysis

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2023-02, Vol.48 (13), p.5080-5094
• Main Authors: Maheskumar, Velusamy, Saravanakumar, Karunamoorthy, Yea, Yeonji, Yoon, Yeomin, Park, Chang Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CoFe nanowire; FeNi2S4; Overall water splitting; Urea electrooxidation
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.278

The design of high-performance non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts for electrooxidation reactions involving splitting of water molecule for energy and environmental applications is the need of the hour. In this study, we report the electrocatalytic performance of a nanocomposite catalyst of FeNi2S4 nanoparticles/CoFe nanowires supported on nickel foam that was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The electrocatalyst has several advantages, such as the nanocomposite structure, relatively high electrical conductivity, and synergistic effect between FeNi2S4 and CoFe. These characteristics enhanced the catalytic efficiency of FeNi2S4/CoFe electrode, gaining small overpotentials of 380 and 207 mV for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions, respectively, at a current density of 100 mA cm−2. The charge transfer processes are significantly improved by the electron pairs from FeNi2S4 and CoFe, as well as by the enhanced active sites at the electrode-electrolyte interface and their bonding interactions. The electrooxidation of urea was also explored, which showed a lower overpotential of 230 mV to reach 100 mA cm−2 current density. Interestingly, FeNi2S4/CoFe was successfully employed as cathode and anode for urea-assisted water electrolysis, utilizing 1.56 V to produce 10 mA cm−2 current density, which is approximately 160 mV below that for water electrolysis, thus verifying the lower energy consumption during electrolysis. These results indicate that nanoparticle and nanowire composite catalysts can be used for wastewater treatment and green energy production applications. •FeNi2S4/CoFe nanocomposite was fabricated for overall water and urea electrolysis.•FeNi2S4/CoFe electrocatalyst showed superior performance of OER, HER, and UOR.•The strong electric and synergetic interaction endows outstanding urea electrolysis performance.•The long-term durability of FeNi2S4/CoFe was due to the chemical/structural stability.