Mild electrodeposition of a hierarchical NiMoO4/Ni(OH)2@P–Ni electrocatalyst with multi-component synergy for enhanced hydrogen evolution

While constructing hierarchical structures is an effective strategy to boost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity, most existing synthesis routes still rely on high-temperature treatments. Herein, a novel 1D/2D/0D hierarchical NiMoO 4 /Ni(OH) 2 @P–Ni electrocatalyst is fabricated on nickel foam via a simple and mild two-step method involving hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent electrodeposition. The catalyst requires an overpotential of 77 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm −2 for the alkaline HER and operates stably for 100 h. The high performance originates from a well-orchestrated synergy: P–Ni nanoparticles serve as highly active sites for hydrogen adsorption, while the Ni(OH) 2 component and the multi-component heterointerfaces collectively facilitate water dissociation and charge transfer. Moreover, the hierarchical structure imparts exceptional interfacial properties, including superhydrophilicity and efficient gas bubble release. This work offers a viable strategy for designing high-performance electrocatalysts by orchestrating multi-component synergy within a rationally engineered hierarchical architecture.