Development of Cu3N electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline medium

A wide variety of electrocatalysts has been evolved for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and it is reasonable to carry out HER with low cost electrocatalyst and a good efficiency. In this study, Cu3N was synthesized by nitridation of Cu2O and further utilized as an electrocatalyst towards HER. The developed Cu3N electrocatalyst was tested and results showed a low overpotential and moderate Tafel slope value (overpotential: 149.18 mV and Tafel slope 63.28 mV/dec at 10 mA/cm2) in alkaline medium with a charge transfer resistance value as calculated from electrochemical impendence spectroscopy being 1.44 Ω. Further from the experimental results, it was observed that the reaction kinetics was governed by Volmer–Heyrovsky mechanism. Moreover, Cu3N has shown an improved rate of electron transfer and enhanced accessible active sites, due to its structural properties and electrical conductivity. Thus the overall results show an excellent electrochemical performance, leading to a new pathway for the synthesis of low cost electrocatalyst for energy conversion and storage.