Ultra-low Pt-loaded catalyst based on nickel mesh for boosting alkaline water electrolysis

Green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis is an important form of energy storage for centralized, large-scale and long-cycle scenarios. Cost efficiency is crucial in promoting this green energy storage approach; hence, developing a low-cost and efficient catalyst for water electrolysis is essential. This study describes a method to improve the catalytic activity of nickel wire mesh by using ultra-low Pt (0.06 mg cm−2) doped Ni(OH)2 arrays, which improves the charge kinetics, active surface area and intrinsic activity of the active sites. The target electrode requires only 68 and 269 mV @ 100 mA cm−2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively, in alkaline electrolyte. The two-electrode water-splitting system assembled by the proposed electrode outperformed the noble-metal pair Pt/C@NM || RuO2 @NM. The performance of the assembled alkaline water electrolyzer is also outstanding (required only 1.87 V to reach 400 mA cm−2) with excellent durability (> 600 h).