am6b15377_si_001.pdf (1.14 MB)
Dominating Role of Ni0 on the Interface of Ni/NiO for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
journal contribution
posted on 2017-02-06, 00:00 authored by Jing Wang, Shanjun Mao, Zeyan Liu, Zhongzhe Wei, Haiyan Wang, Yiqing Chen, Yong WangThe
research of a robust catalytic system based on single NiOx electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction
(HER) remains a huge challenge. Particularly, the factors that dominate
the catalytic properties of NiOx-based
hybrids for HER have not been clearly demonstrated. Herein, a convenient
protocol for the fabrication of NiOx@bamboo-like
carbon nanotube hybrids (NiOx@BCNTs) is
designed. The hybrids exhibit superb catalytic ability and considerable
durability in alkaline solution. A benchmark HER current density of
10 mA cm–2 has been achieved at an overpotential
of ∼79 mV. In combination with the experimental results and
density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this for the first time
definitely validates that the inherent high Ni0 ratio and
the Ni0 on the interface of Ni/NiO play a vital role in
the outstanding catalytic performance. Especially, the Ni0 on the interface of Ni/NiO performs superior activity for water
splitting compared with that of bulk Ni0. These conclusions
provide guidance for the rational design of the future non-noble metallic
catalysts.