NiFexP@NiCo-LDH nanoarray bifunctional electrocatalysts for coupling of methanol oxidation and hydrogen production.

NiFe x P@NiCo-LDH/CC nanosheet core-shell nanoarrays electrocatalysts are prepared by electrodeposition and phosphating methods for relatively low potential production of H 2 and value-added formate in methanol/water electrolysis systems. During the oxygen evolution reaction process, the over potential is 269 mA at the current density of 50 mA cm−2 and the Tafel slope is 97 mV dec−1. It also realizes the stable long-term electrocatalysis of methanol to formate under high current density and maintains a relatively high Faraday efficiency of 100%. Meanwhile, the energy saving is higher than 10% in the methanol oxidation and co-hydrogen production system that achieves great attention. The superior performance of NiFe x P@NiCo-LDH/CC bifunctional electrocatalysts might be beneficial from the interaction to Ni and Fe bimetallic extranuclear electrons that exposes more active sites. A highly active electrocatalyst NiFe x P@NiCo-LDH/CC is synthesized by a simple electrochemical deposition method. The catalyst has excellent catalyst activity because of the synergistic effect of Ni and Fe, and abundant active sites. The selectivity of the methanol oxidation reaction is high and the product is value-added formate. [Display omitted] • NiFe x P@NiCo-LDH was prepared using a simple electrochemical deposition method. • The NiFe x P@NiCo-LDH exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity and long-term stability. • The selectivity of the methanol oxidation reaction is high and the product is value-added formate. • The catalyst shows excellent catalyst activity because of the synergistic effect of Ni and Fe and abundant active sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]