Interfacing nickel nitride and nickel boosts both electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions. Issue 1 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Fuzhan; Li, Wei; Yang, Jiaqi; Han, Guanqun; Liao, Peilin; Sun, Yujie
• Is Part Of: Nature communications. Volume 9:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06728-7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-1723

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalysts of the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER and HOR) are of critical importance for the realization of future hydrogen economy. In order to make electrocatalysts economically competitive for large-scale applications, increasing attention has been devoted to developing noble metal-free HER and HOR electrocatalysts especially for alkaline electrolytes due to the promise of emerging hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells. Herein, we report that interface engineering of Ni3 N and Ni results in a unique Ni3 N/Ni electrocatalyst which exhibits exceptional HER/HOR activities in aqueous electrolytes. A systematic electrochemical study was carried out to investigate the superior hydrogen electrochemistry catalyzed by Ni3 N/Ni, including nearly zero overpotential of catalytic onset, robust long-term durability, unity Faradaic efficiency, and excellent CO tolerance. Density functional theory computations were performed to aid the understanding of the electrochemical results and suggested that the real active sites are located at the interface between Ni3 N and Ni. Efficient hydrogen production and utilization materials will be crucial in order to compete with fossil fuel technologies. Here, authors report nickel and nickel nitride interfaces as effected catalysts for hydrogen evolution and oxidation in water.