Core-Shell AgNWs@Ni(OH)2 Nanowires Anchored on Filter Paper for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Transition metal (Fe, Ni, Co)-based hydroxides, especially nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)₂), have been considered as promising candidate for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) because of their low cost, natural abundance and high catalytic performance. However, the catalytic performance of Ni(OH)₂ is still unsatisfactory for practical application due to its relatively low electrical conductivity. Here, a highly conductive silver nanowires (AgNWs) network is prepared on filter paper, followed by the electrodeposition of Ni(OH)₂ on the surface of AgNWs to form AgNWs@Ni(OH)₂ core-shell structure. In comparison with pure Ni(OH)₂ (376 mV at −10 mA cm⁻²), the optimized AgNWs@Ni(OH)₂ electrode can exhibit about 3-fold enhanced HER performance, which achieves a lower overpotential of 123 mV at the current density of −10 mA cm₋₂, and a small Tafel slope of 76 mV dec⁻¹ in 1 M KOH electrolyte. Besides the superior activity, the AgNWs@Ni(OH)2 electrode also shows a better durability. Such enhanced catalytic performance benefits from the high conductivity of AgNWs network to facilitate electron transfer, and the synergistic interaction between AgNWs and Ni(OH)₂. This work also provides general strategies to design highly active HER electrocatalysts by utilizing highly conductive AgNWs to form core-shell architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]