One‐step Synthesis of Self‐standing Ni₃S₂/Ni₂P Heteronanorods on Nickel Foam for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over a Wide pH Range

Abstract

Abstract The development of efficient, stable and low‐cost electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through a facile strategy is undoubtedly vital to realize sustainable production of H 2 in water splitting but still challenging. Herein, we present a one‐step approach, a simultaneous phosphorization and sulfurization thermal treatment of NF at low temperature, to direct grow Ni‐S−P heteronanorod arrays consisting of Ni 3 S 2 and Ni 2 P on nickel foam (Ni‐S−P NRs/NF). Due to the direct growth, one‐dimensional structure and good conductivity of the catalyst hybrid, as well as the synergistic effect between Ni 3 S 2 and Ni 2 P, the resultant Ni‐S−P NRs/NF exhibited excellent HER electrocatalytic activity over a wide pH range. Ni‐S−P NRs/NF shows an overpotential of 180, 148 and 292 mV to reach the current density of 100 mA cm −2 in 1.0 M KOH, 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and 1.0 M PBS solution, respectively. DFT theoretical calculations was further confirmed that the superior pH‐universal HER activity of Ni‐S−P NRs/NF is originated from the thermo‐neutral hydrogen adsorption free energy and the enhanced adsorption of water molecular by the Ni 3 S 2 /Ni 2 P heterostructure.