Issue 9, 2024

In situ hierarchical self-assembly of NiFeHCF nanoparticles on nickel foam: highly active and ultra-stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting and their environmental assessment towards green energy

Abstract

A 3D hierarchical nickel–iron hexacyanoferrate electrocatalyst was successfully grown on nickel foam using an energy-efficient in situ self-assembly method. The as-prepared NiFeHCF@NF electrode has good morphology and intimate contact with the NF compared to electrodes from the co-precipitation method. The well-designed NiFeHCF@NF nanostructure delivers prominent performances that require overpotentials as low as 210 and 125 mV@10 mA cm−2 for the OER and HER in 1 M KOH, respectively. Tafel slope and electrochemical impedance studies further revealed favourable kinetics during electrolysis. Hence, an NiFeHCF@NF||NiFeHCF@NF water electrolyser only required 1.56 V@10 mA cm−2 with an ∼2.5% potential loss. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of iron and nickel with ferrocyanide improved the structural stability and promoted the generation of active phases during the OER/HER, resulting in outstanding durability for 150 h. Moreover, the novel all-in-one strategy can be used to explore other bifunctional and cost-efficient electrocatalysts for various applications. The solar-based water electrolysis and environmental assessment confirmed the practical use of NiFeHCF@NF for eco-friendly industrial hydrogen production.

Graphical abstract: In situ hierarchical self-assembly of NiFeHCF nanoparticles on nickel foam: highly active and ultra-stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting and their environmental assessment towards green energy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Feb 2024
Accepted
11 Mar 2024
First published
12 Mar 2024

Green Chem., 2024,26, 5326-5338

In situ hierarchical self-assembly of NiFeHCF nanoparticles on nickel foam: highly active and ultra-stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting and their environmental assessment towards green energy

A. Gayathri, V. Ashok, M. Sangamithirai, J. Jayabharathi and V. Thanikachalam, Green Chem., 2024, 26, 5326 DOI: 10.1039/D4GC00719K

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