Core/shell NiMoSe@NiMoO4 micro-cuboids anchored on Nickel foam as self-supported electrode towards efficient and stable hydrogen generation

Abstract Developing cost-effective and earth-abundant metal catalysts to act as noble metal-based catalysts substitute for highly efficient hydrogen production remain challenges. Herein, Superaerophobic and core-shell structured NiMoSe@NiMoO4 micro-cuboids were successfully synthesized on 3D nickel foam (NF) via two-step hydrothermal method. Benefiting from the porous NF substrate, large catalytic activity area, numerous lattice defects generated in selenization process as well as superwetting and superaerophobic properties of electrode surfaces, the obtained self-supported hybrids, especially the NiMoSe@Ni0.33Mo0.67O4 electrode presented excellent hydrogen generation performance that merely requires small overpotentials of 82.1 mV and 120.3 mV at a low and high current density of 10 mA⋅cm-2 and 50 mA⋅cm-2 in alkaline electrolyte, respectively, which is also competitive with other transition metal selenides reported literatures. Besides, the low Tafel slope of 35.23 mV⋅dec-1 and long term stability for 20 h suggesting the fast hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics and outstanding durability of electrode. This work provides a cost-effective and facile synthesis of transition metal selenides for renewable energy system.