Three-Dimensionally Ordered Macro-/Mesoporous Ni as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

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Abstract

Three-dimensionally (3D) ordered macro-/mesoporous (3DOM/m) Ni is fabricated by the chemical reduction deposition method using lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC) to template the mesostructure within the regular voids of a colloidal crystal (opal). The thereby achieved structural advantages of combining well-ordered bicontinuous mesopores with 3D interconnected periodic macropores, such as abundant exposed catalytically active sites, efficient mass transport, and high electrical conductivity, make this non-noble metal structure an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst. The 3DOM/m Ni exhibits a low onset overpotential of 63 mV (vs. RHE) and a small Tafel slope of 52 mV per decade, as well as a long-term durability in alkaline medium. These distinct features of the 3DOM/m Ni render it a promising alternative to Pt-based HER electrocatalysts.

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Keywords

Liquid crystals, Nickel, Precious metals, Reduction (Chemistry), Colloidal crystals, Electric conductivity

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Support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51172014 and 20971012), and the National 973 Program of China (2009CB219903).

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CC BY 3.0 (Attribution), ©2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry. This article may not be further made available or distributed.

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