Ni0.85Se as an efficient non-noble bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting

• The Ni0.85Se films grown on graphite substrate (GS) was synthesized by electrochemical deposition method and calcination.
• The Ni0.85Se/GS electrocatalyst exhibits high activity and durability towards both HER and OER in alkaline electrolyte.
• The Ni0.85Se/GS electrode is tested for full water splitting in alkaline, achieving 10 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage of 1.73 V.

In this letter, we reported hexagonal phase Ni0.85Se as a new bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting, which was prepared through electrodeposition. The as-synthesized Ni0.85Se films supported on graphite substrate exhibited excellent activities for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It needs overpotentials of 200 and 302 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER in 1.0 M NaOH, respectively, and shows competitive activity among non-noble electrocatalysts with strong durability. The marvellous performance of cost-effective Ni0.85Se in HER and OER enables it to serve as competitive bifunctional electrode in alkaline water electrolyzer.

We report Ni0.85Se as a new bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting. It needs only 200 and 302 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER in 1.0 M NaOH, respectively, achieving 10 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage of 1.73 V for 48 h.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide