Dynamic Hydrogen Bubble Templated NiCu Phosphide Electrodes\nfor pH-Insensitive Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

Abstract

A highly\nefficient porous NiCu-phosphide (NiCu-P) electrode is\nreported for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic, neutral,\nand basic electrolytes. The NiCu-P electrode was prepared via hydrogen\nbubbles dynamic templated electrodeposition of NiCu alloy onto nickel\nmesh, followed by phosphidation. Due to the synergistic interaction\nin NiCu-P, the material exhibits excellent HER activity in a wide\npH range from 0.3–14. Current density of −10 mA cm^–2 was achieved at low overpotentials of −226,\n−250, and −175 mV in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, 1 M phosphate buffer solution, and 1 M KOH, respectively. The fabricated\nNiCu-P electrode also shows an outstanding electrochemical stability,\nregardless of electrolyte pH. The NiCu-P has a slope value of −53\nmV dec^–1, indicating that HER at NiCu-P follows\nthe Heyrovsky mechanism in 1 M KOH.