NixFeyN@C microsheet arrays on Ni foam as an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for electrolytic splitting of alkaline seawater. Issue 23 (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Boran; Lu, Mengjie; Chen, Duo; Zhang, Qi; Wang, Wenwen; Kang, Yutang; Fang, Zhenxing; Pang, Guangsheng; Feng, Shouhua
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 23(2021)
• Page Start: 13562
• Page End: 13569
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta01292d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : An effective strategy of coating transition-metal nitrides with carbon to fabricate a Ni x Fe y N@C/NF electrode for alkaline seawater electrolysis at extremely high current densities. Abstract : Self-supported nickel–iron nitride microsheet arrays coated with carbon are grown on commercial Ni foam (Ni x Fe y N@C/NF) and used as an electrocatalyst for splitting of alkaline seawater. The porous architecture and superhydrophilic/superaerophobic surface ensure sufficient exposure of active sites and mass transfer. The synergetic coupling effect between the carbon coating and Ni x Fe y N facilitates electron transport. The optimal anode (Ni3 FeN@C/NF) and cathode (Ni3 N@C/NF) electrocatalysts are employed to assemble a two-electrode seawater electrolyzer for overall alkaline seawater electrolysis, which delivers a large current density of 500 mA cm −2 at a low cell voltage of 1.91 V. The superior corrosion-resistance and electron conductivity of the electrocatalyst are responsible for its excellent durability up to 100 hours. This result suggests that transition-metal nitrides coated with carbon offer an effective route to fabricate high-performance and durable hybrid electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from seawater electrolysis.