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Formation of Layer‐by‐Layer Assembled Cocatalyst Films of S 2− ‐Stabilized Ni 3 S 4 Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Author(s) -
Kim Sungwon,
Nishino Toshio,
Saruyama Masaki,
Sakamoto Masanori,
Kobayashi Hiroyuki,
Akiyama Seiji,
Yamada Taro,
Domen Kazunari,
Teranishi Toshiharu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemnanomat
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 32
ISSN - 2199-692X
DOI - 10.1002/cnma.201700220
Subject(s) - layer (electronics) , nanoparticle , materials science , hydrogen , chemical engineering , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , engineering
It remains challenging to develop alternatives, based on widely abundant elements, to highly active Pt catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Metal sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) are potential candidates for such catalysts because of their metallic features and intrinsic high surface area; however, their poor electrocatalytic activity, owing to the presence of surface ligands, is an obstacle to practical use. Here we report the selective synthesis of oleylamine (OAm)‐stabilized Ni 3 S 4 (Ni 3 S 4 /OAm) NPs. The insulating ligands were exchanged with S 2− and loaded on electrodes by a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly method with metal cation linkers. The enhanced catalytic properties were confirmed by electrochemical measurements. A LbL assembled film with Ni 2+ as a linker (11 cycles) showed an overpotential of 555 mV@‐4 mA cm −2 at pH 6.8 and a stable current density for 12 h. In addition, when this LbL assembly method was applied to a CdS/Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 photocatalyst electrode, the resulting photoelectrode showed an enhanced photocurrent compared with that of the Ni 3 S 4 /OAm NPs‐spin coated and bare photoelectrodes. These results indicate the versatility of LbL assembly for fabrication of ligand‐free NP electrocatalyst films.