Regulating the electronic structure of Ni3S2 nanorods by heteroatom vanadium doping for high electrocatalytic performance. (1st November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Huhu; Ai, Taotao; Bao, Weiwei; Zhang, Junjun; Wang, Yong; Kou, Lingjiang; Li, Wenhu; Deng, Zhifeng; Song, Jiajia; Li, Miao
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 394(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-01
• Subjects: V-doping -- Nanorods -- Electrocatalyst -- Oxygen evolution reaction -- Electronic structure; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Highlights: The optimal dual V-Ni3 S2 /NF catalyst showed a significantly OER performance. The V-Ni3 S2 /NF delivers the current density of 100 mA cm −2 at overpotential as low as 189 mV. This study provides a valuable synthesis criterion for the construction of high performance OER catalyst doped with V element. Abstract: The exploration of high-performance, inexpensive noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) may be critical for sustainable mass production of renewable energy. In this study, vanadium-doped Ni3 S2 nanorod arrays grown on three-dimensional nickel foam (V-Ni3 S2 /NF) were designed and synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route. Electrochemical measurements showed that the sample with an appropriate amount of V doping (S: V mass ratio of 25:3) exhibited superior OER performance, with an overpotential of 189 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm −2 and a low Tafel slope of 148.87 mV dec −1 . The improved catalytic performance can be attributed to the optimization of the electronic structure resulting from enhanced electron transfer due to doping with impurity atoms. Detailed characterization showed that homogeneous V doping changed the morphology of Ni3 S2 from nanosheets to nanorods; it also introduced additional catalytic active sites and significantly improved the electrocatalytic activity for the OER. In addition, V-Ni3 S2 /NF exhibited excellent electrocatalytic stability compared to noble-metal (IrO2 ) electrocatalysts. The introduction of vanadium suggests a new approach to the design of high-performance OER catalysts in alkaline medium. Graphical Abstract: Regulating the electronic structure: The electrochemical measurements show that the sample with appropriate V-doped amount displayed a superior OER performance with an overpotential of 189 mV at the current density of 100 mA cm −1 and low Tafel slope of 148.87 mV dec −1 . Image, graphical abstract