Laser-driven liquid assembly: Metal-nanocluster-decorated Ni(OH)₂/nickel foam for efficient water electrolysis

Abstract

Herein, an in situ approach of pulsed laser irradiation in liquids (PLIL) was exploited to create surface-modified electrodes for eco-friendly H₂ fuel production via electrolysis. The surface of the nickel foam (NF) substrate was nondestructively modified in 1.0 mol/L KOH using PLIL, resulting in a highly reactive Ni(OH)₂/NF. Moreover, single-metal Ir, Ru, and Pd nanoclusters were introduced onto Ni(OH)₂/NF via appropriate metal precursors. This simultaneous surface oxidation of the NF to Ni(OH)₂ and decoration with reduced metallic nanoparticles during PLIL are advantageous for promoting hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and overall water splitting (OWS). The Ir-Ni(OH)₂/NF electrode demonstrates superior performance, achieving the lowest overpotentials at 10 mA/cm² (η) with 74 mV (HER) and 268 mV (OER). The OWS using Ir-Ni(OH)₂/NF||Ir-Ni(OH)₂/NF cell demonstrated a low voltage of 1.592 V, reaching 10 mA/cm² with notable stability of 72 h. Ir-Ni(OH)₂/NF performance is assigned to the improved defects and boosted intrinsic properties resulting from the synergy between metallic-nanoparticles and the oxidized NF surface, which are positively influenced by PLIL.

Keywords

electrocatalysts / in situ growth / pulsed laser irradiation in liquids / single-metal-nanoclusters decorated Ni(OH) ₂/nickel foam / water electrolysis

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