Trimetallic Mo–Ni–Co selenides nanorod electrocatalysts for highly-efficient and ultra-stable hydrogen evolution. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Guoxu; Chen, Wei; Chen, Guangliang; Huang, Jun; Song, Changsheng; Chen, Dongliang; Du, Yun; Li, Chaorong; Ostrikov, Kostya Ken
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 71(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Transition metal selenides -- Nanorods -- Multiple-phase heterostructures -- HER -- Plasma nanotechnology; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.104637
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: In-situ engineering multiple-phase transition-metal based electrocatalyst with excellent performances for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is still a major challenge in the electrocatalysis field. Herein, the Mo–Ni–Co trimetallic selenide nanorod arrays are synthesized on a plasma-treated Ni–Co foam (MoSe2 –NiSe2 –CoSe2 /PNCF). The synergistic effects of heterostructured crystal interfaces, the formed 1T-2H mixture phases of MoSe2, and the customized morphological design enable high electrocatalytic activity and stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. The catalysts require a low overpotential of 38 mV, just above commercial Pt/C electrodes (35 mV), to deliver a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm −2 ( j 10 ). The H2 generation amount (2.6 mmol h −1 ) is much higher than most of the reported transition-metal based electrocatalysts. Numerical simulations attribute the high electrocatalytic activity to the increased Fermi level with multiple heterointerfaces. The catalyst presents a superior long-term electrochemical stability during continuous reactions with a high current density ( j 100 ) for over 100 h. The success of enhancing the electrocatalytic performance paves new avenues for in situ engineering transition-metal based electrocatalysts for energy-related applications. Graphical abstract: Multiple-phase trimetallic Mo–Ni–Co selenides nanorod arrays are successfully synthesized in situ on the plasma treated Ni–Co foam (PNCF). The electrocatalyst exhibits a high electrocatalytic stability and activity, and the overpotential for delivering a current density of 10 mA cm −2 is only 38 mV. Hydrogen generation efficiency of our catalyst is the highest (2.6 mmol h −1 ) among the related electrocatalysts. Image 1 Highlights: MoNiCoSe2 nanorods in-situ engineered on NiCo foam without using cation ions. The growth mechanism of MoSe2 –NiSe2 –CoSe2 nanorod is explored. The multiple-phases electrocatalyst exposing rich active sites for water splitting. The electocatalytic activity of MoSe2 –NiSe2 –CoSe2 nanorod array is near to Pt/C.