Ni composite electrodes for hydrogen generation: Activation of Nb-based semiconductors

The hydrogen evolution reaction depends on the accumulation of electrons on the catalytic center to enable the two-electron processes involved in water reduction. This work reports on the modification of inexpensive nickel (Ni) composite electrodes with engineered semiconductor heterojunctions based on earth-abundant transition metals that show superior hydrogen generation activity in the presence of a non-toxic electrolyte (K2CO3). This is, small amounts of cobalt (Co) or copper (Cu) oxides can improve the reactivity of composite electrodes formed by deposition of titanium (Ti) or niobium (Nb) semiconductors onto Ni surfaces. In general, modified Nb-based semiconductors show better performance and their enhanced activity can be understood in terms of modified surface potentials upon formation of semiconductor-Ni heterojunctions. Photoelectrochemical activity can be detected in the presence of Cu oxides, where hydrogen generation onset potential is reduced under UV–Vis light irradiation. The study demonstrates that small composition changes can greatly affect the activity of Nb-based Ni composite electrodes, showing exciting new applications for Nb-based materials.