Electrochemically embedded heterostructured Ni/NiS anchored onto carbon paper as bifunctional electrocatalysts for urea oxidation and hydrogen evolution reaction
Developing high-efficiency, cost-effective, and long-term stable nanostructured catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting remains one of the most challenging aspects of hydrogen fuel production. Urea electrooxidation reaction (UOR) can produce hydrogen energy from nitrogen-rich wastewater, making it a more sustainable and cheaper source of hydrogen. In this study, we have developed Ni/NiS hybrid structures with cauliflower-like morphology on carbon paper electrodes through the application of dimethylsulfoxide solvents. These electrodes serve as highly efficient and long-lasting electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and UOR. In particular, the Ni/NiS cauliflower-like morphology is confirmed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, electrochemical characterization of the Ni/NiS@CP catalyst showed a 1.35 V onset potential versus RHE for the UOR in 1.0 M KOH and superior electrocatalytic performance compared to bare Ni@CP. Additionally, the Ni/NiS@CP catalyst also exhibits a low overpotential of 125 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for HER in 0.5 M H2SO4 with excellent durability, which is apparently lower than bare Ni@/CP (397 mV). Based on the results obtained, the synthesized Ni/NiS@CP catalyst may be a promising electrode candidate for handling urea-rich wastewater and generating hydrogen.
Energy demand worldwide demands clean, cheap, and renewable energy. Through the use of photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion, solar energy can be transformed into chemical energy.
Due to the growing demand for energy and the threat of environmental problems, advanced energy storage and conversion technologies have attracted considerable attention as alternatives to…
Developing high-efficiency, cost-effective, and long-term stable nanostructured catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting remains one of the most challenging aspects of hydrogen fuel…