Enhanced alkaline/seawater hydrogen evolution reaction performance of NiSe2 by ruthenium and tungsten bimetal doping.

The exploration of high-efficiency and stable electrocatalysts for alkaline and seawater hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is the key to realize energy conversion, but there is still a significant challenge owing to the slow HER kinetics in alkaline and seawater systems. In this study, we prepared nickel foamed-supported Ru, W co-doped NiSe 2 (Ru, W–NiSe 2 /NF) by a brief two-step hydrothermal strategy and the prepared Ru, W–NiSe 2 /NF displays exceptional HER property, requiring only a low overpotential of 100 and 353 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH and natural seawater, respectively, far superior to Ru–NiSe 2 /NF, W–NiSe 2 /NF and NiSe 2 /NF. Electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) verify the abundant active sites and superior electron transfer rate of Ru, W–NiSe 2 , which optimized the HER kinetics in alkaline solution and natural seawater. The ECSA normalization and TOF results indicated that Ru, W co-doping increased the intrinsic activity of NiSe 2. This study revealed the impact of bimetallic doping on the intrinsic activity of NiSe 2 , and provided a practical strategy for designing and developing the HER electrocatalysts with excellent performance. • Ru, W co-doped NiSe 2 on nickel foam were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method. • Ru, W co-doping increases the active area, enhances the conductivity, and greatly improves its intrinsic activity. • The Ru, W–NiSe 2 /NF exhibited greatly enhanced hydrogen evolution activity in alkaline and natural seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]