Pd doped Ni derived from Ni - Metal organic framework for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte.

The poor conductivity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has greatly restricted their widespread application in water splitting. Herein, the Ni-MOF is used to be a precursor to support a stable three-dimensional structure, high surface areas and to prepare various contents of Pd doped Ni alloys (Pd/Ni-1, Pd/Ni-2 and Pd/Ni-3). The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of samples is compared in alkaline electrolyte (1.0 M KOH). As-prepared catalysts exhibit uniform dispersion, good crystallinity, high purity and a small particle size according to the physical characterization. What is more, based on the electrochemical characterization, Pd/Ni-3 has an exclellent HER performances with a lower overpotential (50 mV in base at 10 mA·cm−2), smaller Tafel slope (102 mV·dec−1) and more positive initial potential (ƞ at 1 mA·cm−2; Δ ƞ = 660 mV) than that of Ni-MOF. The reduction percentage of resistance charge transfer (R ct) relative to Ni-MOF of Pd/Ni-3 is up to 95.6%. This work may offer guidance to make up the low conductivity of MOF for HER in alkaline electrolyte. • Ni-MOF as a precursor supports a stable three-dimensional structure. • The R ct reduction percentage of Pd/Ni-3 is up to 95.6%. • Pd/Ni-3 exhibits satisfactory performance for HER (50 mV at j 10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]