Hierarchical Superhydrophilic/Superaerophobic Ni₃S₂/VS₂ Nanorod-Based Bifunctional Electrocatalyst Supported on Nickel Foam for Overall Urea Electrolysis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Hierarchical Superhydrophilic/Superaerophobic Ni3S2/VS2 Nanorod-Based Bifunctional Electrocatalyst Supported on Nickel Foam for Overall Urea Electrolysis

AU - Huang, Yuxing

AU - Xu, Hui

AU - Wang, Yamei

AU - Xing, Ziyan

AU - Fang, Ruochao

AU - Lai, Huihuang

AU - Qian, Man

AU - Dong, Mingdong

AU - Carraro, Mauro

AU - Skrydstrup, Troels

AU - Daasbjerg, Kim

AU - Xin, Zhuo

PY - 2024/10/7

Y1 - 2024/10/7

N2 - The design and preparation of effective nonprecious metal-based catalysts for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) coupled with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are of great significance to solve both energy shortage and environmental pollution problems. In this study, a novel hierarchical superhydrophilic and superaerophobicity three-dimensional nanorod-like bifunctional catalyst with a heterostructure (Ni3S2/VS2) was prepared on nickel foam via a simple one-step hydrothermal method, serving as an excellent electrocatalyst for both UOR and HER. The formed heterostructure significantly alters the electronic structure, optimizing charge transfer and increasing the number of active sites, which enhances the electrocatalytic performance of Ni3S2/VS2. As a result, this catalyst requires an extremely low potential of 1.396 V at the current density of 100 mA cm-2 for UOR and only 164 mV overpotential at -10 mA cm-2 for HER. Notably, a constructed two-electrode electrolyzer system (Ni3S2/VS2∥Ni3S2/VS2) demonstrates extraordinary activity and long-term stability, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a low cell voltage of 1.48 V, which is superior to majority of the reported catalysts. This work demonstrates that the formation of heterostructures can effectively enhance the catalytic activity of nanomaterials toward UOR and HER and provides a feasible strategy for fabricating highly efficient nonprecious metal overall urea electrocatalysts.

AB - The design and preparation of effective nonprecious metal-based catalysts for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) coupled with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are of great significance to solve both energy shortage and environmental pollution problems. In this study, a novel hierarchical superhydrophilic and superaerophobicity three-dimensional nanorod-like bifunctional catalyst with a heterostructure (Ni3S2/VS2) was prepared on nickel foam via a simple one-step hydrothermal method, serving as an excellent electrocatalyst for both UOR and HER. The formed heterostructure significantly alters the electronic structure, optimizing charge transfer and increasing the number of active sites, which enhances the electrocatalytic performance of Ni3S2/VS2. As a result, this catalyst requires an extremely low potential of 1.396 V at the current density of 100 mA cm-2 for UOR and only 164 mV overpotential at -10 mA cm-2 for HER. Notably, a constructed two-electrode electrolyzer system (Ni3S2/VS2∥Ni3S2/VS2) demonstrates extraordinary activity and long-term stability, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a low cell voltage of 1.48 V, which is superior to majority of the reported catalysts. This work demonstrates that the formation of heterostructures can effectively enhance the catalytic activity of nanomaterials toward UOR and HER and provides a feasible strategy for fabricating highly efficient nonprecious metal overall urea electrocatalysts.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85205896662&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c03400

DO - 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c03400

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 39323084

SN - 0020-1669

VL - 63

SP - 19002

EP - 19010

JO - Inorganic Chemistry

JF - Inorganic Chemistry

IS - 40

ER -