Cerium doping of FeS2 for the effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysis

Abstract

Crafting and developing nanostructured electrocatalyst materials that are both active and stable plays a pivotal role in the shift toward economically viable hydrogen production through electrochemical water splitting, paving the way for the future replacement of fossil fuels. Such materials need to be cost-effective, simple to produce, and durable. In this context, the current research delves into improving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalytic performance by incorporating cerium (Ce) into iron disulfide (FeS<inf>2</inf>) catalysts, using an uncomplicated hydrothermal fabrication approach. The study systematically examines the effects of various Ce doping levels on electrocatalytic activity. Notably, the catalyst with 15% Ce doping demonstrated exceptional efficiency, reducing the overpotential to 369 mV at 100 mA cm?2 current density. This enhanced performance can be attributed to the reduction in total charge-transfer resistance and a significant increase in the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA). Furthermore, the durability assessment of the 15% Ce-doped sample revealed its ability to sustain its catalytic activity for over 100 h under a continuous HER operation at 300 mA cm-2, with low performance-falloff. These results highlight the potential of Ce-dopping of FeS<inf>2</inf> catalysts as a formidable choice for achieving efficient and long lasting HER electrocatalysis. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.