Low content of Ni‐Pt nanoparticles decorated carbon nanofibers as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Background Among various technologies, electrochemical water splitting is one of the most effective and promising techniques for obtaining hydrogen fuel. The low content of nickel–platinum (Ni‐Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) decorated on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been developed by the electrospinning technique and subsequent carbonization process for use in an effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline mediums. Results The Ni‐Pt ions are reduced to Ni‐Pt NPs during the carbonization process, while polyacrylonitrile nanofibers are simultaneously changed into carbon nanofibers. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the prepared Ni‐Pt/CNFs shows that the low content of Ni and Pt NPs is evenly dispersed on the carbon nanofibers. This implies that for close contacts, there is an effective charge transfer between the NPs and the CNFs system. The obtained Ni‐Pt/CNFs exhibit enhanced HER performance along with onset potential ( η 1 /23 mV in ~0 pH and η 1 /33 mV in ~14 pH) and overpotential ( η 10 /128 mV in pH ~0 and η 10 /152 mV in pH ~14) versus RHE. Furthermore, stability for a long time was attained without considerable decay by 24 h. The turnover frequency (TOF) value was 3.431 s −1 in acidic and 1.174 s −1 in alkaline electrolytes. Conclusion The enhanced HER performance could be ascribed to the synergetic effects between the carbon fibers and the Ni‐Pt NPs. This work demonstrates an easy technique for producing highly effective electrocatalysts for water splitting and has significant implications for renewable energy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).