Synthesis self-supporting bulk porous NiMo@MoS2 electrocatalyst to enhance hydrogen evolution in alkaline conditions

Abstract

Developing efficiently non-precious metals electrocatalysts are beneficial in hydrogen energy for water splitting. In this study, the bulk porous NiMo@MoS2 electrocatalyst was synthesized by microwave sintering powder metallurgy, and then hydrothermal treatment in thiourea solution. The as-prepared NiMo@MoS2 electrode can require lower overpotential of only 89 mV to arrive the current density of 10 mA cm−2 due to the MoS2 can promote water dissociation to generate H protons and release of H2. At the same time, this self-supporting bulk porous electrode can offer a long-term stability of electrolysis for 25 h in alkaline medium. This work offers a new approach for development of applied bulk porous catalysts with enough catalytic activity toward alkaline electrolysis of water.

Keywords

• Hydrogen evolution reaction
• NiMo@MoS2 electrocatalyst
• Powder metallurgy
• Water splitting
• Microwave sintering