Ni3Se2 film as a non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient water splitting

Abstract

In this communication, we report on the first use of Ni₃Se₂ film electrochemically deposited on Cu foam (Ni₃Se₂/CF) as a bifunctional catalyst for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with good durability at alkaline media. This 3D electrode exhibits high activity of 10 mA cm⁻² at 100 mV HER overpotential and 50 mA cm⁻² at 340 mV OER overpotential. A Ni₃Se₂/CF-based two-electrode alkaline water splitting system affording 10 mA cm⁻² at a cell voltage of 1.65 V is also demonstrated successfully.