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.