Electrospun SiO2/WO3/NiWO4 decorated carbon nanofibers for an efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

AbstractThe SiO2/WO3/NiWO4 composites modified carbon nanofibers (SiWNi-CNFs) were prepared by a facile electrospinning method with following carbonization process under nitrogen atmosphere. The as-obtained SiWNi-CNFs were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), FT-IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. As revealed by the electrochemical measurement, the SiWNi-CNFs prepared with SiW12/NiAc2 molar ratio of 1:1 presented best hydrogen evolution activity with a small Tafel slope (48 mV dec−1) among all the as-prepared samples. Notably, the as-prepared catalysts exhibit a small onset potential (0.29 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), high current density and excellent stability. The experimental results pointed that the SiWNi-CNFs processes more efficient hydrogen evolution properties than that other contrast samples. This is due to the SiO2/WO3/NiWO4 composite modified on the surface of...