Direct ink writing of Ni structures for electrocatalytic water splitting applications

Abstract

Fabrication of functional metallic materials with complex shapes and fine features remains a challenge despite the advancement of various manufacturing techniques including conventional and advanced methods. Direct ink writing (DIW) is a promising 3-dimensional printing (3DP) technique that overcomes the major challenge of fabricating highly porous complex structures. Herein, we demonstrate the potential of synthesizing pure Ni structures with tailorable microstructure and geometries for functional applications, such as water-splitting and electrocatalysis, based on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) through DIW. A reduction of 3D printed NiO complex scaffolds during heat treatments yields porous or highly dense 3D Ni-meshes. The highest electrochemical surface area (ECSA) was achieved by the 3D Ni-mesh electrode with a heat treatment of 600°C-1h which leads to the best OER performance of 222 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. With great stability at 1.58V for 60 h and tailorable structures, the porous 3D Ni-mesh electrode demonstrates promising water-splitting application on an industrial scale.