DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURED METAL CHALCOGENIDES/PHOSPHIDES FOR ELECTROCATALYTIC HYDROGEN GENERATION

Abstract

Increasing global energy demands, and rising carbon dioxide emissions has prompted the search for sustainable energy systems, among which molecular hydrogen generated by electrocatalytic water splitting has presented itself as a promising alternative energy carrier of clean energy. This dissertation focuses on the development of nanostructured transition metal chalcogenides and phosphides for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation. To enhance the electrochemical activity of the catalyst, various strategies were employed to increase the intrinsic activity and number of active sites. Several rationally designed electrodes were synthesized and characterized, these include (i) Ni3S2 nanorods coated with NiO decorated MoSx nanosheets, (ii) Co3S4-MoSx hybrid nanosheets, (iii) CoP arrays of nanosheets or nanorods, and (iv) 1D-2D NiCo selenide scaffolding supporting porous NiFe selenide nanocubes. Subsequently, these electrocatalysts were investigated to analyze and discuss how the contribution of material selection, structural design features, and compositional engineering were key factors that affected the electrochemical properties of the electrodes.