Chinese Journal of Catalysis

Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 89: 218-231.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65162-5

• Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Three-dimensional carbon foam and anion-vacancy synergistically modulate Ni-Fe bimetallic sulphides for efficient alkaline/seawater hydrogen evolution reactions

Ying Zhanga,1, Zengyuan Fana,1, Xiaohong Zhanga, Bo Zhaoa, Yining Wanga,*(), Yunpeng Wua,b,*(), Hiang Kwee Leec, Jiawei Wanga,b,*()   

  1. aJilin Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Centre of Optical Materials and Chemistry, Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center of Photo-Functional Materials and Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, Jilin, China
    bChongqing Research Institute, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401135, China
    cSchool of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
  • Received:2026-01-07 Accepted:2026-03-02 Online:2026-10-18 Published:2026-09-01
  • Contact: *E-mail:yiningwang@cust.edu.cn(Y. Wang),wuyp@cust.edu.cn (Y. Wu),wangjw027@cust.edu.cn (J. Wang).
  • About author:First author contact:

    1 Contributed equally to this work.

  • Supported by:
    Science and Technology Development Planning of Jilin Province(DZJ202501ZYTS349);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22305024);National Natural Science Foundation of China(21972133)

RichHTML

4

PDF (PC)

12

Abstract:

To overcome the limitations of Pt/C catalysts in water and seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production, a anion vacancy-engineered bimetallic sulfide electrocatalyst was synthesized on a three-dimensional carbon foam support (VS-Ni0.55Fe0.45S2@CF) for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline and seawater conditions. The catalyst utilizes melamine foam as a template, combining graphene oxide coating with hydrothermal carbonization to construct a three-dimensional porous carbon framework. Subsequently, the Ni0.55Fe0.45S2 catalyst is in-situ synthesized via hydrothermal methods, and sulfur vacancies are introduced through ammonium fluoride (NH4F) etching. Characterization revealed that the catalyst retained its three-dimensional porous structure, exhibiting outstanding superhydrophilicity and aerophobicity, significantly enhancing electrolyte mass transfer efficiency. Mechanistic analysis indicates that the high conductivity of carbon substrate effectively reduces electrode-catalyst interfacial resistance, while its porous structure physically blocks Cl- migration to active sites to suppress corrosion. Sulfur vacancies modulate the surface electronic states, optimize the H* adsorption energy barrier, and induce SO42- formation. This further inhibits Cl- corrosion through electrostatic repulsion, synergistically enhancing catalytic activity and stability. Consequently, in 1.0 mol L-1 KOH, this catalyst exhibits an overpotential of only 51 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and demonstrates long-term durability (operating stably for 250 h). In simulated seawater (1.0 mol L-1 KOH + 0.5 mol L-1 NaCl), the overpotential is 77 mV with a current retention rate exceeding 70% after long-term operation. This study provides experimental support for developing low-cost, highly efficient HER catalysts and provide a basis for large-scale green hydrogen production.

Key words: Nickel iron sulfide, Sulfur vacancies, Synergistic engineering, Superhydrophilicity, Melamine foam, Vector engineering