Electrodeposition of cedar leaf-like graphene Oxide@Ni–Cu@Ni foam electrode as a highly efficient and ultra-stable catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Cedar leaf-like graphene Oxide@Nickel–Copper@Nickel foam (GO@Ni–Cu@NF) electrode is synthesized through an electrochemical approach and its electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen production in a 1.0 M KOH medium is thoroughly investigated. Morphology, phase structure, and chemical state of fabricated electrodes are carefully studied. Moreover, the electrochemical characterization methods are employed to evaluate the catalytic activity and stability for electrochemical hydrogen production. The electrocatalytic properties of the GO@Ni–Cu@NF sample are promoted for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), where η10, η20 and η100 were measured at 70, 109, and 214 mV vs. reverse hydrogen electrode, respectively. This significant electroactivity in HER can be ascribed to the modification of GO nanosheets on the cedar leaf-like Ni–Cu@NF electrode. In addition, the GO nanosheets increase the electrochemical surface area of Ni–Cu@NF from 1790 cm2 to 2585 cm2 for the GO@Ni–Cu@NF electrodes. Furthermore, the Tafel slope of the GO@Ni–Cu@NF electrode (57 mV dec−1) confirms the predominance of Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. Overall, this study proposes a three-dimensional Ni–Cu electrode modified by GO nanoplatelets with a proper electroactivity, excellent surface area, and acceptable stability for HER.