A tailored interface engineering strategy designed to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of NiFe2O4/NiTe heterogeneous structure for advanced energy conversion applications. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dang, Changwei; Yun, Sining; Zhang, Yongwei; Dang, Jiaoe; Wang, Yinhao; Liu, Zhuolei; Deng, Yingying; Yang, Guangping; Yang, Jingjing
• Is Part Of: Materials today nano. Volume 20(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: catalytic property -- hybrid -- counter electrode catalyst -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- dye-sensitized solar cells; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology; Nanoscience; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Periodical; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2022.100242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2588-8420

Abstract

Abstract: Designing nanohybrids with high-quality catalytic sites and optimized electronic structures is promising for advanced photovoltaic and water splitting applications. However, a rational construction of nanohybrid electrocatalysts with optimal structures to maximize electrocatalytic activity remains a challenge. Herein, interface engineering tactic is employed to design biphasic robust spinel-structured NiFe2 O4 /hexagonal NiTe heterogeneous structure nanohybrid electrocatalysts with tunable electronic configuration and abundant catalytic sites. Spectroscopic characterization unveiled that the tailored electronic configuration behaviors are generated by strong electronic interactions at the biphasic interface, which activate electron transfer from Fe 3+ to Ni 2+ and/or Te 2−, resulting in emerging plentiful catalytic sites available for triiodide ion/hydrogen ion adsorption. Profiting from extraordinary electronic configuration and synergistic effect of spinel-structured NiFe2 O4 and hexagonal NiTe, the NiFe2 O4 /NiTe shows enhanced electrocatalytic activity and electrochemical stability. A solar cell assembled with NiFe2 O4 /NiTe delivers an impressive power conversion efficiency of 8.15%, whereas it affords a preferable overpotential of 148.8 mV at 10 mA cm −2, as well as a smaller Tafel slope of 73.67 mV dec −1 in basic medium. This interesting work emphasizes the great significance of tuning the electronic configuration and catalytic sites activity of transition metal chalcogenides-based heterogeneous structures nanohybrid to strengthen their electrocatalytic activity for triiodide reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Spinel NiFe2 O4 -coupled hexagonal NiTe heterogeneous structure is designed. synergistic effect of NiFe2 O4 and NiTe optimizes the surface electronic configuration. NiFe2 O4 /NiTe exhibits superior catalytic activity and electrochemical stability. Solar cell with NiFe2 O4 /NiTe nanohybrid delivers a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 8.15%. NiFe2 O4 /NiTe yields outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction activity (148.8 mV@10 mA cm −2 ) in 1 M KOH.