One-step electrodeposition synthesis of bimetallic sulfides for highly efficient electrocatalytic water splitting

Investigation of highly effective and affordable metal-based electrocatalysts is crucial for water splitting that yields pure hydrogen. Herein, using one-step room-temperature electrodeposition, we successfully created a binary metal nickel-iron sulfide bifunctional electrocatalyst having plenty of active sites and a significant specific surface area on nickel foam (NF). Additionally, the synergistic interaction of the two metal components, iron and nickel, facilitates the electron transfer process and increases the materials’ electrocatalytic performance. To obtain 10 mA cm−2, the catalyst only requires 75 mV for HER and 210 mV for OER in 1.0 M KOH. The two-electrode electrolyzer only needs a modest driving voltage (1.46 V@10 mA cm−2). The research presented here offers fresh understandings into the water splitting of nickel-iron-based sulfides as well as a reasonable direction for the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts.