Mo-doped NiCoP nanowire array grown in situ on Ni foam as a high-performance bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

Abstract

The development and application of durable and efficient non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts are particularly crucial for hydrogen production using overall water-splitting technology. Herein, a simple method was employed to synthesize Mo-doped NiCoP nanowires on a metallic 3D Ni foam (Mo-NiCoP/NF) for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This long-term stable Mo-NiCoP/NF catalyst demonstrated comparatively low overpotentials and excellent dual-functional catalytic performances. The overpotentials for the HER and OER were 64 and 262 mV, respectively, to actuate a current density of 10 mA cm −2 in an alkaline environment (1 M KOH). Meanwhile, when this electrocatalyst was utilized for overall water splitting, a cell voltage of 1.56 V could supply a current density of 10 mA cm −2 for at least 50 h with a negligible performance drop. This work provides an advanced approach to developing non-noble metal phosphide nanostructures as monolithic dual-functional electrocatalysts for overall alkaline water splitting. • A novel Mo-NiCoP/NF nanowire structure was prepared as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. • Mo-NiCoP/NF electrode shows excellent catalytic performance both for HER and OER. • The water electrolysis device system only needs 1.56 V to drive the current density of 10 mA cm −2 .