3D self-supported Ni nanoparticle@N-doped carbon nanotubes anchored on NiMoN pillars for the hydrogen evolution reaction with high activity and anti-oxidation ability. Issue 22 (23rd May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gong, Yi; Wang, Linan; Xiong, Hailang; Shao, Mingfei; Xu, Lidong; Xie, Ao; Zhuang, Shuxian; Tang, Yang; Yang, Xiaojin; Chen, Yongmei; Wan, Pingyu
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 7:Issue 22(2019)
• Page Start: 13671
• Page End: 13678
• Publication Date: 2019-05-23
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ta03473k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : 3D self-supported hierarchical Ni@NCNT/NiMoN shows remarkable activity, durability and anti-oxidation ability as the promising HER&OER electrode for storing electricity. Abstract : A 3D self-supported hierarchical architecture composed of Ni nanoparticle@nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube modified NiMoN micro-pillar arrays grown on Ni foam (Ni@NCNT/NiMoN/NF) was synthesized. Benefiting from the protection by N-doped carbon layers, and the well-designed hierarchical structure with a large surface area, high electrical conductivity and convenient mass/electron transfer paths, this composite shows excellent activity and durability under both acidic and alkaline conditions. It demands extremely low overpotentials of 15 mV and 156 mV in 1.0 M KOH, and 31 and 96 mV in 0.5 M H2 SO4 to achieve current densities of 10 and 200 mA cm −2, respectively, which are superior to those for commercial Pt/C and other control samples. DFT calculations prove that the synergetic effect between N-doped carbon, Ni, and NiMoN enhances H2 O adsorption and decreases hydrogen adsorption free energy (|Δ G H* |) to facilitate the HER process. Furthermore, the composite possesses extraordinary antioxidation ability under the conditions of the cyclic current pulse and power-off–on state. This work suggests an effective pathway to enhance the catalytic activity and oxidation resistance by building a hierarchical structure encapsulated by thin N-doped carbon layers, showing promising potency as the HER electrode in practical energy conversion and storage systems of wind power and solar power.