Homologous NiO//Ni2P nanoarrays grown on nickel foams: a well matched electrode pair with high stability in overall water splitting. Issue 13 (24th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Jinlong; Zhou, Wei; Liu, Tong; Liu, Shijie; Wang, Chengbo; Guo, Lin
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 9:Issue 13(2017)
• Page Start: 4409
• Page End: 4418
• Publication Date: 2017-01-24
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c6nr07953a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The well matched homologous NiO@NF//Ni2 P@NF electrode pair exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. It only needs 1.65 V to afford the current of 10 mA cm −2 in 1 mol L −1 aqueous KOH solution. The current density retention reached 92% after a 120-hour test at 1.70 V. Abstract : Homologous NiO, Ni3 S2, and Ni2 P nanoarrays were obtained by thermolysis, sulfuration, and phosphorization of the Ni(SO4 )0.3 OH1.4 belt-like precursors. The three types of porous nickel compound films grown on nickel foam with a thickness of ∼8 μm have been used as anodes and cathodes in a two-electrode setup for overall water splitting. The electrode pairing of Ni x M y //Ni x M y (M = O, S, and P) for electrocatalysis in order of superiority is as follows: NiO//Ni2 P > Ni3 S2 //Ni2 P > Ni2 P//Ni2 P > Ni3 S2 //Ni3 S2 > NiO//Ni3 S2 > NiO//NiO. The other two sets of Ni x M y with different thicknesses of ∼5 and ∼11 μm also follow the abovementioned order. The well matched electrode pair of NiOOER //Ni2 PHER only needs 1.65 V, whereas NiO//NiO pair needs 1.84 V to afford the current of 10 mA cm −2 in 1 mol L −1 of aqueous KOH solution. In particular, the current density retention of the NiO//Ni2 P reached 92% after 120 hours of electrolysis at 1.70 V (NiO//NiO only maintains 72% after 30-hour electrolysis). The novelty of this study focuses on fabricating a well matched electrode pair to substantially enhance its electrochemical performance and durability, which would provide a new insight into developing non-noble, highly efficient, and stable electrode pairs.