Shape-controlled synthesis of nickel phosphide nanocrystals and their application as hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst

• Monodisperse Ni2P nanorods and nanoparticles were synthesized in a single step process using a solution-phase route.
• The morphology of the produced nickel phosphide structures was controlled simply by varying the dropping rate of metal source.
• Such Pt-free nanocrystals exhibit electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and appear to be promising electrocatalysts for HER.

Monodisperse nickel phosphide (Ni2P) nanorods and nanoparticles were synthesized by one step solution-phase route, in which the mixture of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and trioctylphosphine (TOP) was used as solvent, capping agent and phosphor source. The morphologies of the Ni2P nanocrystals were controlled simply by varying the dropping rate of metal source. The as-prepared Pt-free Ni2P nanocrystals exhibit the enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) compared to pure commercial Ni nanoparticles. Therefore, the obtained Ni2P nanocrystals appear to be promising non precious metal electrocatalysts for HER.