Interface engineering of Ni0.85Se/Ni3S2 nanostructure for highly enhanced hydrogen evolution in alkaline solution

Interface engineering is considered as an effective strategy to improve the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of electrocatalysts. Herein, the Ni 0.85 Se/Ni 3 S 2 heterostructure grown on nickel foam (NF) is synthesized via successive wet-chemical processes. The obtained Ni 0.85 Se/Ni 3 S 2 heterostructure is firstly investigated as an HER electrocatalyst in alkaline media and exhibits more excellent electrochemical properties over Ni 3 S 2 . And it delivers a low overpotential of 145 mV at a current density of −10 mA cm −2 , and superior stability. Based on the analysis of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), the enhanced HER activity is due to the modulation of surface electronic structure, ascribing from the construction of heterointerface between Ni 0.85 Se and Ni 3 S 2 . Meanwhile, the Ni 0.85 Se/Ni 3 S 2 heterostructure prepared in this work is also verified to be employed as a promising alternative to noble metal catalysts in HER. • It is first report to research Ni 0.85 Se/Ni 3 S 2 heterostructure as HER catalyst. • The Ni 0.85 Se/Ni 3 S 2 exhibits excellent electrochemical properties. • The enhanced HER activity is ascribed to the modulation of electronic structure induced by construction of heterointerface.