Ni12P5 Nanoparticles as an Efficient Catalyst for Hydrogen Generation via Electrolysis and Photoelectrolysis

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Abstract
The exploitation of a low-cost catalyst is desirable for hydrogen generation from electrolysis or photoelectrolysis. In this study we have demonstrated that nickel phosphide (Ni12P5) nanoparticles have efficient and stable catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The catalytic performance of Ni12P5 nanoparticles is favorably comparable to those of recently reported efficient nonprecious catalysts. The optimal overpotential required for 20 mA/cm2 current density is 143 ± 3 mV in acidic solution (H2SO4, 0.5 M). The catalytic activity of Ni12P5 is likely to be correlated with the charged natures of Ni and P. Ni12P5 nanoparticles were introduced to silicon nanowires, and the power conversion efficiency of the resulting composite is larger than that of silicon nanowires decorated with platinum particles. This result demonstrates the promising application potential of metal phosphide in photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (IRT1064)
  • Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (2011DFG52970)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (50925207, 61006049)
  • Government of Jiangsu Province (2011-XCL-019, 2013-479)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

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