Three-dimensional-networked Ni2P/Ni3S2 heteronanoflake arrays for highly enhanced electrochemical overall-water-splitting activity

Highlights: • A self-standing, noble metal-free, novel Ni₂P-Ni₃S₂ heterostructure was fabricated. • The heterostructure was constructed in the 3D-networked ultrathin nanoflake arrays. • The material gives a low onset potential of only 1.45 V for overall water splitting. • Reasonable mechanism for the enhanced electrocatalytic activity was well explained. The exploration of highly active and stable noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction is a challenging task to achieve sustainable production of H₂ through water splitting. Herein, we present the design and synthesis of a novel three-dimensional(3D)-networked heterogeneous nickel phosphide/sulfide electrocatalyst consisting of Ni₂P strongly coupled with Ni₃S₂ in situ grown on Ni foam. Benefiting from the strong interfacial coupling effects between Ni₂P and Ni₃S₂, large surface area, highly conductive Ni foam support, and the unique 3D open configuration, the optimal 3D-networked hybrid electrode exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity with extremely low overpotentials of 80 and 210 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² for HER and OER in 1.0 M KOH, respectively. Assembled as an electrolyzer for overall water splitting, this electrode delivers an impressive low onset potential of only 1.45 V and gives a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at a very low cell voltage of 1.50 V, which is dramatically superior to the current state-of-the-art electrocatalysts. In combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this study demonstrates that the strong coupling interactions between Ni₂P and Ni₃S₂ synergistically optimize the electronic structure and tune the hydrogen (or water) adsorption energy, thus significantly enhancing the overall electrochemical water-splitting activity. Our work might shed some new lights on the design and fabrication of efficient and robust three-dimensional hybrid electrode materials for a variety of electrochemical applications.