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Nanoporous Graphene with Single‐Atom Nickel Dopants: An Efficient and Stable Catalyst for Electrochemical Hydrogen Production
Author(s) -
Qiu H.J.,
Ito Yoshikazu,
Cong Weitao,
Tan Yongwen,
Liu Pan,
Hirata Akihiko,
Fujita Takeshi,
Tang Zheng,
Chen Mingwei
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201507381
Subject(s) - overpotential , graphene , tafel equation , catalysis , dopant , nickel , nanoporous , materials science , electrochemistry , hydrogen production , chemical engineering , hydrogen , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , doping , electrode , organic chemistry , metallurgy , optoelectronics , engineering
Single‐atom nickel dopants anchored to three‐dimensional nanoporous graphene can be used as catalysts of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic solutions. In contrast to conventional nickel‐based catalysts and graphene, this material shows superior HER catalysis with a low overpotential of approximately 50 mV and a Tafel slope of 45 mV dec −1 in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution, together with excellent cycling stability. Experimental and theoretical investigations suggest that the unusual catalytic performance of this catalyst is due to sp–d orbital charge transfer between the Ni dopants and the surrounding carbon atoms. The resultant local structure with empty C–Ni hybrid orbitals is catalytically active and electrochemically stable.