Three-dimensional nickel nanodomes: Efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting. (7th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taşçı, Bedia Semra; Yüksel, Handan; Solmaz, Ramazan
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 23(2018)
• Page Start: 10580
• Page End: 10585
• Publication Date: 2018-06-07
• Subjects: Three-dimensional nickel nanodomes -- Nanostructured supporting materials -- Alkaline water electrolysis -- Hydrogen evolution; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Highly efficient and stable three-dimensional (3D) Ni nanodome (Ni-NDs) arrays were fabricated as candidate cathode materials for alkaline water splitting. The NDs were prepared by a combined methods of soft lithography-nanosphere lithography, physical vapor deposition (PVD) and electrochemical deposition using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as template. The water splitting activity of the 3D nanostructures were examined in 6 M KOH solution using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The data obtained showed that well-structured and uniformly distributed Ni-NDs could be fabricated using this combined method. The ND arrays perform excellent hydrogen evolution activity with respect to Ni plate as a reference point since their nano-sized roughness results in larger real surface area. By comparing with Ni plate, lower hydrogen onset potential (85 mV) and charge transfer resistance (90.1%) as well as higher current density (90.4%) corresponding to the amount of evolved hydrogen were observed at the NDs. The Ni-NDs have high time-stability in the electrolysis conditions. It is believed that the Ni-ND arrays contribute to the design of novel electrocatalytic electrodes as candidate supporting materials. Graphical abstract: Highly efficient and stable 3D Ni-NDs were fabricated by a combined method of soft lithography-nanosphere lithography and PVD using PDMS as template and characterized as cathode material for splitting of water in 6 M KOH solution. Highlights: Highly efficient and stable three-dimensional nickel nanodome arrays were fabricated. Very well-structured and very uniformly distributed nanodomes with almost the same sizes were fabricated. The nickel nanodomes perform excellent hydrogen evolution activity with respect to Ni plate. The nanostructures exhibit good time-stability during electrolysis. The fabricated nickel nanodomes were suggested as candidate supporting materials.