An efficient hydrogen evolution by self-supported nickel sulfur-based hybrid nanoplate electrocatalyst

Electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution made from earth’s rich elements are key to a sustainable and clean hydrogen economy. Now, using a straightforward way to make valid catalysts with preferable catalytic activity from inexpensive raw materials in large scale remains challenge. The preparation of nickel-sulfur hybrid nanoplate electrocatalyst has a deep consideration because of its ordinary preparation process, outstanding property, and fine stabilization. In this work, employing an improved chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis method to fabricate a highly efficient and stable NiS2/NiS electrocatalyst prepared by changing the mass of nickel-sulfur ratios of 8:1 (NiS2/NiS-8), 4:1 (NiS2/NiS-4), 2:1 (NiS2/NiS-2), and 1:1 (NiS2/NiS-1), applied to hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). The acquired NiS2/NiS-4 showed excellent HER performance with an overpotential of 202 mV to drive 100 mA/cm2 in 1 M KOH solution with a Tafel slope of 69.0 mV/dec, also with 30 h stability testing. This vigorous catalyst, fabricated from commercial Ni foam, has a potential for industrialization of hydrogen economy and will stimulate the industrial development of nonprecious metal catalyst.