Facile electrodeposition of cauliflower-like S-doped nickel microsphere films as highly active catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen evolution. Issue 29 (7th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeng, J. R.; Gao, M. Y.; Zhang, Q. B.; Yang, C.; Li, X. T.; Yang, W. Q.; Hua, Y. X.; Xu, C. Y.; Li, Y.
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 5:Issue 29(2017)
• Page Start: 15056
• Page End: 15064
• Publication Date: 2017-07-07
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ta04559j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Self-supported cauliflower-like S-doped Ni microspheres grown on a Cu wire (NiS x /CW) are fabricated via a facile, one-step electrodeposition approach in ethaline, which exhibit highly active and durable HER catalytic activity in alkaline solution. Abstract : The development of low-cost, earth-abundant, and high-efficiency catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting is central to developing sustainable and clean energy. The abundant reserves of nickel sulfides are promising noble metal-free materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, a highly active cauliflower-like S-doped nickel microsphere film directly grown on a copper wire (CW) substrate (labeled as NiS x /CW) was facilely prepared via a one-step electrodeposition approach in a choline chloride/ethylene glycol (ethaline)-based deep eutectic solvent. Doping of S is found to induce an interesting structural transition from nanosheets to porous cauliflower-like microspheres, electronic structure changes at the surface, and a significant improvement in the HER catalytic performance. The as-prepared NiS0.25 /CW with a Ni/S atomic ratio of 1 : 0.25 exhibits the best performance, showing a negligible onset potential (−18 mV) with a low overpotential (−54 mV at 10 mA cm −2 ) and small Tafel slope (54 mV dec −1 ) in 1.0 M KOH solution. Additionally, the NiS0.25 /CW catalyst displays good durability and affords long-term electrolysis without activity degradation for 60 h. This study offers a facile synthesis route for in situ growth of the active phases on current collectors to fabricate self-supported noble-metal free HER catalysts and deep insights into the relationships among the S-doping, catalyst microstructure, and catalytic properties.