Mo-Doped NiCu as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Developing a robust earth-abundant metal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both alkaline and acidic electrolytes is essential for pursuing the highly-efficient conversion of sustainable energy resources. The Mo-doped NiCu electrode was fabricated as a HER catalyst via a one-step electrodeposition process. The structure and the chemical state of the deposited catalysts were characterized by X-ray power diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This Mo-doped NiCu electrode (8 at% Mo-content in solvent) exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the HER in an alkaline electrolyte as compared to bimetallic NiMo and NiCu catalysts, with a small overpotential of 95 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and excellent electrochemistry stability.