Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media
The development of advanced electrocatalysts plays a pivotal role in enhancing hydrogen production through water electrolysis. In this study, we employed a two-step electrodeposition method to fabricate a 3D porous Cu-Co-Ni alloy with superior catalytic properties and long-term stability for hydroge...
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| author | Hussein A. Younus Maimouna Al Hinai Mohammed Al Abri Rashid Al-Hajri |
| author_facet | Hussein A. Younus Maimouna Al Hinai Mohammed Al Abri Rashid Al-Hajri |
| author_sort | Hussein A. Younus |
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| description | The development of advanced electrocatalysts plays a pivotal role in enhancing hydrogen production through water electrolysis. In this study, we employed a two-step electrodeposition method to fabricate a 3D porous Cu-Co-Ni alloy with superior catalytic properties and long-term stability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The resulting trimetallic alloy, Cu@Cu-Ni-Co, demonstrated significant improvements in structural integrity and catalytic performance. A comparative analysis of electrocatalysts, including Cu, Cu@Ni-Co, and Cu@Cu-Ni-Co, revealed that Cu@Cu-Ni-Co achieved the best results in alkaline media. Electrochemical tests conducted in 1.0 M NaOH showed that Cu@Cu-Ni-Co reached a current density of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> at a low overpotential of 125 mV, along with a low Tafel slope of 79.1 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>. The catalyst showed exceptional durability, retaining ~95% of its initial current density after 120 h of continuous operation at high current densities. Structural analysis confirmed that the enhanced catalytic performance arises from the synergistic interaction between Cu, Ni, and Co within the well-integrated trimetallic framework. This integration results in a large electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 380 cm<sup>2</sup> and a low charge transfer resistance (15.76 Ω), facilitating efficient electron transfer and promoting superior HER activity. These findings position Cu@Cu-Ni-Co as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for alkaline HER in alkaline conditions. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5b7d9d4fe31d4fe1b7ddb8884d3722892025-08-20T03:43:11ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01186151510.3390/en18061515Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline MediaHussein A. Younus0Maimouna Al Hinai1Mohammed Al Abri2Rashid Al-Hajri3Nanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, OmanNanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, OmanNanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, OmanDepartment of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khould, P.O. Box 33, Muscat 123, OmanThe development of advanced electrocatalysts plays a pivotal role in enhancing hydrogen production through water electrolysis. In this study, we employed a two-step electrodeposition method to fabricate a 3D porous Cu-Co-Ni alloy with superior catalytic properties and long-term stability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The resulting trimetallic alloy, Cu@Cu-Ni-Co, demonstrated significant improvements in structural integrity and catalytic performance. A comparative analysis of electrocatalysts, including Cu, Cu@Ni-Co, and Cu@Cu-Ni-Co, revealed that Cu@Cu-Ni-Co achieved the best results in alkaline media. Electrochemical tests conducted in 1.0 M NaOH showed that Cu@Cu-Ni-Co reached a current density of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> at a low overpotential of 125 mV, along with a low Tafel slope of 79.1 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>. The catalyst showed exceptional durability, retaining ~95% of its initial current density after 120 h of continuous operation at high current densities. Structural analysis confirmed that the enhanced catalytic performance arises from the synergistic interaction between Cu, Ni, and Co within the well-integrated trimetallic framework. This integration results in a large electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 380 cm<sup>2</sup> and a low charge transfer resistance (15.76 Ω), facilitating efficient electron transfer and promoting superior HER activity. These findings position Cu@Cu-Ni-Co as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for alkaline HER in alkaline conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/6/1515electrocatalystHERelectrodepositionalkaline conditions3D structureCu-Ni-Co alloy |
| spellingShingle | Hussein A. Younus Maimouna Al Hinai Mohammed Al Abri Rashid Al-Hajri Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media Energies electrocatalyst HER electrodeposition alkaline conditions 3D structure Cu-Ni-Co alloy |
| title | Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media |
| title_full | Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media |
| title_fullStr | Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media |
| title_short | Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media |
| title_sort | hierarchical core shell cu cu ni co alloy electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution in alkaline media |
| topic | electrocatalyst HER electrodeposition alkaline conditions 3D structure Cu-Ni-Co alloy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/6/1515 |
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