Efficient synergism of NiSe2 nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet for energy-relevant water and urea electrocatalysis

Abstract

Herein, we highlighted that a catalyst system of NiSe2 nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet catalyst exhibited efficient synergism for energy and environmental-relevant urea-assisted water electrolysis reactions. The spectral study and microscopic analysis demonstrated the formation of NiSe2 nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet heterostructure and efficient NiO bond and NiSe bond synergism. Owing to various factors such as the strong synergetic coupling effects between NiSe2 nanoparticle and NiO nanosheet, unique structure features, increased active sites and amount of intrinsic Ni3+ ions, efficient synergism was found on the NiSe2 Nanoparticle/NiO nanosheet for urea-assisted water electrolysis by comparing with the NiSe2 Nanoparticle and NiO nanosheet alone. It required a cell voltage of 1.39 V, about 210 mV less than that of water electrolysis, confirming the less energy consumption during the electrolysis. Notably, it also shows remarkably superior long-term durability. The current work may extend the nanoparticle-nanosheet catalysts system for simultaneous wastewater treatment and clean energy production.