Promoting Nonacid Hydrogen Evolution over Ni4Mo/Cu by D-Band Regulation

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for Ni4Mo alloys in neutral and alkaline mediums is mainly restricted by the desorption of H atoms. Herein, Ni4Mo/Cu nanowires with abundant interfaces are constructed for enhanced HER activity by regulation of the d-band center. The obtained Ni4Mo/Cu exhibits ultralow overpotentials of 11 and 18 mV at 10 mA cm–2 in neutral and alkaline mediums, respectively. It is worth noting that the neutral activity represents the best among the non-noble-metal neutral HER catalysts. Spectral experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that the enhanced performance is mainly attributed to the downshift of the d-band center, which is favorable for the dissociation of H2O and desorption of H atoms.