Nanoarchitectonics of bacterial cellulose with nickel-phosphorous alloy as a binder-free electrode for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in neutral solution

Abstract

Developing low-cost and efficient electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under neutral electrolytes remains an unattained milestone. We report a highly performing binder-free electrode through electroless deposition of Ni–P nanoparticles on bacterial cellulose (BC). Not needing carbonization to provide the electric conductivity, BC can maintain its excellent mechanical properties and thin fiber microstructure. The nanometric cellulose fibers facilitate the formation of small Ni–P nanoparticles, leading to more catalytic active sites. The obtained Ni–P/BC electrode presents remarkable HER activity with an overpotential of only 161 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope (141 mV dec−1) in 1 M potassium phosphate-buffered saline (pH = 7) electrolyte. Besides, Ni–P/BC also exhibits good stability for 24 h at 10 mA cm−2. This binder-free, low-cost, and easily fabricated electrode holds excellent promise for HER applications in benign neutral environments.