Modification of Ni3N with a Cobalt-Doped Carbon Shell for High-Performance Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media

The development of low cost, efficient, and sustainable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical to the success of the hydrogen economy. Low-cost and high-efficiency Ni3N electrocatalysts have shown great potential to replace platinum-based (Pt) electrocatalysts. However, the challenge for the practical application of Ni3N electrocatalysts is their very low stability, especially in alkaline solutions. In this research we have developed a novel technology for the modification of Ni3N using a carbon layer containing amorphous cobalt species to form a (Co-C)/Ni3N core/shell composite. The composite catalyst is stable for HER in alkaline solutions. The (Co-C)/Ni3N electrocatalyst (0.7 mol %) has also exhibited excellent durability in a 1.0 M KOH solution. After 5000 electrochemical scanning cycles, the activity loss for (Co-C)/Ni3N is insignificant. This work has introduced a practical approach to the development of highly efficient and sustainable non-noble-metal electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution under alkaline conditions.