Metal

Quantum mechanics

Catalysis

Adsorption

Engineering

Electrochemistry

Metallurgy

Materials science

Cathode

Water splitting

Biochemistry

Silicon

Inorganic chemistry

Chemical engineering

Physical chemistry

Hydrogen

Physics

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Desorption

Phosphide

Chemistry

Electrode

Current density

Photocatalysis

Hydrogen production

Monocrystalline silicon

Optoelectronics

Overpotential

Nanorod

Applied Catalysis B Environment and Energy

Transition metal phosphides are promising candidates for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but the activation of H2O molecule is deficient. We adopt an interface engineering strategy to synthesize a hierarchical FeNiP/MoOx integrated electrode with multi-interface grown on monocrystalline NiMoO4 nanorods. Such catalyst exhibits remarkable alkaline HER performance with a low overpotential of 97 mV at the current density of 100 mA cm−2 and sustainable durability over 20 h. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that interfaces among Fe2P, Ni5P4, and MoOx can efficiently activate H2O molecules and facilitate H desorption. Moreover, employing FeNiP/MoOx/NiMoO4/NF as a cathode, the cell voltage as low as 1.62 V to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm−2, with admirable durability over 20 h for alkaline water splitting (1.0 M NaOH + 0.5 M NaCl). This work offers a new avenue to rationally design a 3D robust, cost-effective catalyst with multi-interface for large-scale practical hydrogen production.

FeNiP/MoOx integrated electrode grown on monocrystalline NiMoO4 nanorods with multi-interface for accelerating alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction