Surface phosphorization of nickel oxalate nanosheets to stabilize ultrathin nickel cyclotetraphosphate nanosheets for efficient hydrogen generation

• Published in: Materials research bulletin Vol. 139; p. 111275
• Main Authors: Ankush, Yadav, Krishna K., Guchhait, Sujit Kumar, Wadhwa, Ritika, Jha, Menaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2021
• Subjects: HER; Low overpotential; Ni2P4O12; Ultrathin nanosheets; Ni2P4O12; Ultrathin nanosheets; HER; Low overpotential
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2021.111275

[Display omitted] •Low temperature stabilization of ultrafine nanosheets of nickel cyclotetraphosphate (Ni2P4O12).•The thickness of synthesized Ni2P4O12 nanosheets is 1−2 nm.•Ni2P4O12 nanosheets shows an overpotential (ɳ10 = 105 mV) in an acidic media for hydrogen evolution reaction. The generation of renewable energy through electrochemical water splitting (oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction) is currently thrust research area due to the low cost and environmental friendly process. To meet our energy requirements a lot of efforts are going into designing of non-noble earth-abundant material for the production of H2. In the present study, ultrathin nickel cyclotetraphosphate (Ni2P4O12) nanosheets (thickness ∼ 1.5 nm) have been stabilized at low temperature using nickel oxalate nanosheets and di-phosphorus pentaoxide as a starting material. The synthesis of nickel oxalate nanosheets (thickness ∼5−6 nm) has been done at room temperature using a simple micellar route wherein CTAB has been used as a surfactant. Nickel cyclotetraphosphate (sample S4) shows an overpotential of 105 mV measured at 10 mV/cm2 current density, Tafel slope of ∼ 48 mV/dec and stability up to 17 h.