Conductive network construction and electrocatalytic performance of phosphorus-doped nickel-based bamboo fiber film flexible electrodes.

Bamboo fiber has attracted attention due to its high strength and flexibility, but it shows poor electron mobility and functionalities. In this research, phosphorus-doped flexible electrodes were constructed using bamboo fiber as the substrate, which was pretreated using sodium borohydride, followed by chemical nickel plating, and then used for urea electrocatalytic oxidation. The results showed that the bamboo fiber film provided a flexible support for nickel metal loading and a uniform and dense metal coating. Along with phosphorus self-doping, this conferred significant electrocatalytic activity to the nickel-phosphorus/bamboo fiber film (Ni–P/BFF). Notably, the electrode demonstrated an initial oxidation potential of 436.4 mV during urea oxidation. Phosphorus doping induced charge density redistribution and changed the electronic states during chemical plating, making the area around nickel atoms effective electron-trapping centers. This lowered the free energy of OH− adsorption on the surface of the conductive network in the electrolyte, which in turn lowered the onset potential and Tafel slope. These findings present a novel perspective for using biomass materials to create flexible electrodes. [Display omitted] • Eco-friendly, high-performance and low-cost flexible electrode material based on natural bamboo fiber was created. • The conductive network on bamboo fibers constitutes electron transport channels and provide electrocatalytic active sites. • Self-doping with phosphorus significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic activity, particularly for urea oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]