Ultrafast fabrication of porous NF/Ni for water splitting in alkaline media

Abstract

In this study, a rapid hydrogen-bubble template electrodeposition method was employed to synthesize a dual-functional catalyst (NF/Ni) for alkaline water splitting. Physical characterization revealed that a coarsened NF/Ni with a porous structure was obtained, providing an enlarged surface area. In addition, it revealed that the CV activation is beneficial to the formation of Ni-Ni(OH)2 coupling interface, which is responsible for reducing of water dislocation energy barrier and providing a balanced H adsorption energy on the Ni site. Consequently, the overpotential of oxygen/hydrogen evolution reaction at 10 mA cm−2 is 290 and 71 mV. In-situ Raman spectroscopies confirm that the generated NiOOH serves as the active center for OER process. When assembled to a two-electrode cell, it showed a cell voltage of 1.62 V@10 mA cm−2, which was 160 mV lower than that of NF‖NF. Furthermore, the university study confirms the formation of hydroxide on the surface of the metal is beneficial to boosting the hydrogen evolution activity.