Single‐Crystalline Ultrathin Nickel Nanosheets Array from In Situ Topotactic Reduction for Active and Stable Electrocatalysis. Issue 2 (19th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuang, Yun; Feng, Guang; Li, Pengsong; Bi, Yongmin; Li, Yaping; Sun, Xiaoming
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 55:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 693
• Page End: 697
• Publication Date: 2015-11-19
• Subjects: electrocatalysis -- nanosheets -- nickel -- single crystals -- ultrathin films; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201509616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Simultaneously synthesizing and structuring atomically thick or ultrathin 2D non‐precious metal nanocrystal may offer a new class of materials to replace the state‐of‐art noble‐metal electrocatalysts; however, the synthetic strategy is the bottleneck which should be urgently solved. Here we report the synthesis of an ultrathin nickel nanosheet array (Ni‐NSA) through in situ topotactic reduction from Ni(OH)2 array precursors. The Ni nanosheets showed a single‐crystalline lamellar structure with only ten atomic layers in thickness and an exposed (111) facet. Combined with a superaerophobic (low bubble adhesive) arrayed structure the Ni‐NSAs exhibited a dramatic enhancement on both activity and stability towards the hydrazine‐oxidation reaction (HzOR) relative to platinum. Furthermore, the partial oxidization of Ni‐NSAs in ambient atmosphere resulted in effective water‐splitting electrocatalysts for the hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER). Abstract : Low‐cost electrocatalysts : Ultrathin nickel nanosheets were synthesized by gently reducing a Ni(OH)2 nanosheet array on a metal substrate (see picture). The electrocatalytic performance of the Ni nanosheets was tested on the oxidation of hydrazine and the hydrogen‐evolution reaction.