Engineering NiMoP nanosheets on hollow Cu3P nanotube arrays as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Designing nonprecious but efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solution still remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the NiMoP nanosheets on hollow Cu₃P nanotube arrays on the Cu foam (NiMoP@Cu₃P/CF) via solution immersion, hydrothermal reactions and phosphorization. By virtue of its unique core–shell open tubular structure, NiMoP@Cu₃P/CF shows large specific surface area and mesoporous, short diffusion paths, which facilitates mass transport and easy accessibility of water, resulting in a superior HER activity in 1.0 M KOH. NiMoP@Cu₃P/CF only requires 81 mV and 226 mV of overpotential when the current density is 10 mA cm⁻² and 100 mA cm⁻² for HER in 1.0 M KOH, respectively, with a low Tafel slope (133.1 mV dec⁻¹) and as well as superior durability. Our work provides a new idea to design a powerful electrocatalyst for HER, which will be highly expected for various practical applications.