Nanostructured Nickel Phosphide as an Electrocatalyst\nfor the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Nanoparticles\nof nickel phosphide (Ni₂P) have been investigated\nfor electrocatalytic activity and stability for the hydrogen evolution\nreaction (HER) in acidic solutions, under which proton exchange membrane-based\nelectrolysis is operational. The catalytically active Ni₂P nanoparticles were hollow and faceted to expose a high density\nof the Ni₂P­(001) surface, which has previously been predicted\nbased on theory to be an active HER catalyst. The Ni₂P\nnanoparticles had among the highest HER activity of any non-noble\nmetal electrocatalyst reported to date, producing H₂(g)\nwith nearly quantitative faradaic yield, while also affording stability\nin aqueous acidic media.