Template-synthesis and electrochemical properties of urchin-like NiCoP electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Herein, we report a template-engaged strategy to fabricate urchin-like ternary metal phosphide (Ni0.5Co0.5P-300) as catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. The morphology and microstructure of Ni0.5Co0.5P-300 and its precursors were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and micropore and chemisorption analyzer. Electrochemical properties were characterized by typical electrochemical methods, such as linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy on a standard three-electrode system. Results show that the developed porous hierarchical 3D Ni0.5Co0.5P-300 catalyst has excellent electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution in alkaline aqueous solution with onset overpotential of 26mV and Tafel slope of 58mV at the loading mass of 0.28mgcm−2. It only needs 87mV to reach the current density of 10mAcm−2 and can hold the nearly unchanged current density for 25h amperometric test. Meanwhile, the Ni0.5Co0.5P-300 catalyst also exhibits good electrocatalytic properties for hydrogen evolution in 1M PBS solution (pH=7). These indicate that the Ni0.5Co0.5P-300 catalyst with urchin-like structure, bimetallic merit, and low cost may be a good candidate as electrocatalyst in practical application of hydrogen evolution.