In-situ optimizing the valence configuration of vanadium sites in NiV-LDH nanosheet arrays for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Developing the highly active, cost-effective, environmental-friendly, and ultra-stable nonprecious electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is distinctly indispensable for the large-scale practical applications of hydrolytic hydrogen production. Herein, we report the synthesis of well-integrated electrode, NiV layered double hydroxide nanosheet array grown in-situ on porous nickel foam (abbreviated as in-NiV-LDH/NF) via the facile one-step hydrothermal route. Interestingly, the valence configuration of vanadium (V) sites in such NiV-LDH are well dominated by the innovative use of NF as the reducing regulator, achieving the reassembled in-NiV-LDH/NF with a high proportion of trivalent V ions (V3+), and then an enhanced intrinsic electrocatalytic HER activity. The HER testing results show that the in-NiV-LDH/NF drives the current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 at extremely low overpotentials of 114 and 245 mV without iR-compensation respectively, even outperforms commercial 20 wt% Pt/C at the large current density of over 80 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, as well as gives robust catalytic durability of at least 100 h in both alkaline and neutral media. More importantly, this work provides a fresh perspective for designing bimetal (oxy) hydroxides electrocatalysts with efficient hydrogen generation.