Volume 44, Issue 11 pp. 9157-9165
SHORT COMMUNICATION

Incorporation of pyridinic and graphitic N to Ni@CNTs: As a competent electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Chidinma Judith Oluigbo

Chidinma Judith Oluigbo

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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Nabi Ullah

Nabi Ullah

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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Meng Xie

Corresponding Author

Meng Xie

School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

Correspondence

Yuanguo Xu, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.

Email: [email protected]

Meng Xie, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.

Email: [email protected]

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Chukwuma Christian Okoye

Chukwuma Christian Okoye

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

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Bashir Adegbemiga Yusuf

Bashir Adegbemiga Yusuf

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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Waleed Yaseen

Waleed Yaseen

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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Jagadeeh Kumar Alagarasan

Jagadeeh Kumar Alagarasan

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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Kanagaraj Rajalakshmi

Kanagaraj Rajalakshmi

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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Yuanguo Xu

Corresponding Author

Yuanguo Xu

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

Correspondence

Yuanguo Xu, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.

Email: [email protected]

Meng Xie, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.

Email: [email protected]

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Jimin Xie

Jimin Xie

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

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First published: 31 May 2020
Citations: 26

Funding information: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant/Award Number: 21676129; The Science and Technology Foundation of Zhenjiang, Grant/Award Numbers: GY2016021, GY2017001, YE201709

Summary

Cheap production of hydrogen (H2) from eco-friendly routes is preeminent for solving future energy challenges. This study explores the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of nickel (Ni) nanoparticles and nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (NiNCNTs), which are fabricated by a cheap and one-step pyrolysis method. The most active catalyst synthesized at 800°C exhibits an overpotential of 0.244 V to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2, Tafel slope of 93.3 mV dec−1 and a satisfactory 10 hours stability. Low resistance and large ECSA value of the sample also favor the competent response for HER in alkaline media. The robust HER activity of the catalyst is as a result of the nickel nanoparticles which are the active spots of reaction; while the presence of well-developed nitrogen containing carbon nanotubes with large content of pyridinic and graphitic nitrogen may provide high-electron density and feasible routes for its transportation to deliver an outstanding HER performance.

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