NiO@Ni/N-C materials with different ratios as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

Hydrogen energy is the core of future clean energy, and the study of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalytic mechanisms is essential for efficient production. The development of efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts is a key challenge in achieving ideal hydrogen generation. In this study, a Ni-BDC/TpPa-1 heterojunction material was prepared for the first time, which was converted into a derived heterojunction material (NiO@Ni/N-C) after high-temperature pyrolysis treatment, exhibiting excellent electrocatalytic activity in an alkaline solution. Without iR compensation, the overpotential of HER is only 83 mV at a current density of 10 mA·cm⁻². Compared with thermally decomposed Ni-BDC and TpPa-1 monomer, its electrocatalytic activity is improved by 158 and 435 mV, respectively, and it exhibits excellent stability over 100 h. The design of this novel material offers a new solution for enhancing the efficiency of transition-metal-based catalysts.