Porous nickel telluride nanostructures as bifunctional electrocatalyst towards hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Electrochemical water splitting technology has attracted researchers for the development of next generation fuels. Herein, we report the synthesis of nanostructured porous hollow nickel telluride nanosheets and their use as bifunctional electrocatalyst towards hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction, anticipating an enhanced performance owing to their 2D sheet like morphology, conductivity, porous nature providing larger catalytic surface for water splitting reaction. In this regard, nickel telluride nanostructures were synthesized via an anion-exchange-reaction between pre-synthesized nickel hydroxide hexagonal nanosheets and tellurium ions under hydrothermal conditions. The as-synthesized nanostructures were characterized for structural, morphological and compositional properties using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Nickel telluride modified electrodes were tested as bifunctional electrocatalyst under acidic and alkaline conditions, through linear sweep voltammetry and constant current chronopotentiometry methods. The modified electrodes revealed an onset potential of ?422 mV and 87.4 mV dec?1 Tafel slope towards HER and overpotential of 679 mV and 151 mV dec?1 Tafel slope towards OER. The lower onset potentials are complimented with excellent electrocatalytic stability. © 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC