Hydrogen Evolution Performance Under High Current Densities of Crystalline/Amorphous NiMo/NM Electrocatalyst

This study used a one-step electrodeposition method to grow nickel molybdenum alloy catalysts (NiMo/NM) with both crystalline and amorphous states on a Ni mesh substrate. x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) jointly confirmed that the insertion of Mo atoms into the Ni lattice resulted in a heterogeneous interface with the coexistence of crystalline and amorphous states. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test results show that the surface of NiMo/NM alloy owns a “cauliflower-like” morphology, which increases the specific surface area of the catalyst and exposes more catalytic active sites. Under the combined action of NiMo heterogeneous interface and highly rough surface on the catalyst surface, the catalyst exhibits superior hydrogen evolution reduction (HER) catalytic activity and long-term operational stability in alkaline solutions compared to commercial catalysts Pt/C. Especially under high current densities in industrial applications and conditions simulating alkaline seawater electrolytes, NiMo/NM exhibits catalytic stability in hydrogen evolution due to the stability of its NiMo alloy structure.