Mn-Doped Tuned NiC/NiO Heterostructure for Efficient Electron Transfer in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Economical and efficient catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction are critical for realizing the large-scale application of water splitting. Herein, a floral microspheres heterostructure of Mn-doped NiC/NiO catalyst, synthesized using a simple hydrothermal and vapor deposition method, is reported. The results demonstrate that doping Mn into NiC/NiO can regulate both the microstructure and electronic structure, significantly improving the catalytic performance for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. In the 1 M KOH solution, the current density of 10 mA cm⁻² required overpotential is only 56 mV, its Tafel slope is 56.4 mV dec⁻¹, and the higher current density 100 mA cm⁻² required overpotential is only 200 mV. Also, the Mn–NiC/NiO catalyst exhibit a considerable stability. After 24 h catalytic hydrogen evolution test, its microstructure and potential show negligible change under 200 mA cm⁻². The study provides a method to develop Mn-doped nickel-based heterostructure as an efficient and potential hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst.