Electrospun Nimo Nanobelts Self-Supported Electrodes for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media

Abstract

Transition metal compounds are considered to be the most promising non-precious metal-based materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however metal particles are prone to agglomeration. It is challenging to achieve the ultra-dispersion of transition metal catalysts with nanostructure, which could enlarge their surface areas and reinforce their physical stability. In this study, highly dispersed self-supporting NiMo nanobelts are prepared by electrospinning and vacuum in-situ reduction. It has a unique belt structure, which allows a large fraction of active sites electrochemically accessible and exhibits sufficient mechanical strength. Electrochemical measurements show that NiMo nanobelts show excellent HER activity, only requiring an overpotential of 62 mV to achieve 10 mA cm -2 in 1 M KOH, as well as great cycling stability.