A novel N-NiFe electrocatalyst for hydrogen production via water splitting

Lam Thi Thuy Kieu; Nguyen Tu Quyen; Truong Ngoc Cam Khuyen; Nguyen Nhat Tuan; Nguyen Duc Nhan; Phan Thi Thuy Trang; Le Thi Thanh Lieu; Dinh Quoc Viet; Vien Vo; Nguyen Van Thang

doi:10.15625/2525-2518/23961

Author affiliations

Authors

Lam Thi Thuy Kieu \(^1\) Faculty of Education, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Nguyen Tu Quyen \(^1\) Faculty of Education, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Truong Ngoc Cam Khuyen \(^1\) Faculty of Education, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Nguyen Nhat Tuan \(^1\) Faculty of Education, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Nguyen Duc Nhan \(^2\) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Phan Thi Thuy Trang \(^2\) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Le Thi Thanh Lieu \(^2\) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Dinh Quoc Viet \(^1\) Faculty of Education, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam
Vien Vo \(^2\) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7197-0923
Nguyen Van Thang \(^2\) Faculty of Natural Sciences, Quy Nhon University, 170 An Duong Vuong, Quy Nhon Nam, Gia Lai, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7949-2591

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/2525-2518/23961

Keywords:

Prussian blue analogue, NiFe alloy, nitrogen-doped NiFe, HER electrocatalyst, water splitting

Abstract

Non-precious metal electrocatalysts for water splitting to produce hydrogen are of great interest in the context of reducing CO₂ emissions. In this study, NiFe alloy materials and their nitrogen-modified form, N-NiFe, were synthesized from the Prussian Blue Ni₃[Fe(CN)₆]₂ (NiFe PB) precursor for application as electrocatalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). XRD results revealed that NiFe PB decomposed to form an fcc-structured NiFe alloy phase, while the subsequent nitrogen doping process (N-NiFe) resulted in reduced crystallinity and smaller crystal size. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that N-NiFe exhibited superior HER performance, achieving the lowest overpotential at 10 mA cm⁻² (468 mV), the smallest Tafel slope (171 mV dec⁻¹), and the highest double-layer capacitance (Cdl) and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) among the investigated samples. These improvements are attributed to increased electron density, the formation of new active sites, and enhanced charge transfer capability due to nitrogen doping. The research results indicate that the N-NiFe material is a promising catalyst for water splitting to produce hydrogen.

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