Cationic defects coupled with trace Pt under the assistance of corrosive engineering for efficient hydrogen electrocatalysis with large current density

Exploiting efficient and durable samples toward electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with large current density is critical for commercializing hydrogen energy. Herein, Ni, Fe layered double hydroxide with cationic defects and trace Pt (Pt/D-NiFe LDH) on NiFe foam is constructed under the assistance of corrosion engineering and alkaline etching at ambient conditions. The porous nanostructure, leaf-like morphology and coexistence of defects and Pt endow the as-designed sample presents a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for HER in alkaline media with low overpotentials with 28, 163 and 217 mV to drive 10, 500 and 1000 mA cm−2. Remarkably, the catalyst enables the two-electrode electrolyzer with low voltages 1.65 and 1.72 V to attain 500 and 1000 mA cm−2. It also can be powered by solar, thermal and wind sustainable energies. The as-synthesized Pt/D-NiFe LDH has excellent catalytic activities and stability in alkaline seawater and neutral electrolytes with small overpotentials.