Porous NiS@Ni2P nanoframe as a multi-functional catalyst for enhanced oxygen evolution and urea oxidation reactions

Abstract

During water electrolysis, multifunctional electrocatalysts with outstanding functionality and endurance must be thoughtfully constructed and designed. Below, we report a hollow NiS@Ni2P nanoframe heterostructure that works well as a substitute catalyst for the urea oxidation and general water splitting reactions. The hollow NiS@Ni2P nanoframe was synthesized by ion exchange, sulfurization and phosphating, which is favorable for achieving a heterostructure. The NiS@Ni2P catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity and strong long-term stability in 1.0 M KOH solutions for the hydrogen evolution reaction, which needs 121 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2. And for the oxygen evolution reaction, the catalyst needs 311 mV to acquire 50 mA cm−2. These advantages come from the optimal electronic structural configuration, hierarchical hollow nanoframe structure, and large surface area. It could attain 10 mA cm−2 at 1.41 V when utilized as a urea oxidation reaction anode, which is lower than the oxygen evolution reaction. For total water splitting and urea oxidation process, NiS@Ni2P as a bifunctional catalyst holds tremendous promise due to its strong electrocatalytic activity, ease of manufacture, and low cost of raw ingredients.