Hierarchical Core-Shell Cu@Cu-Ni-Co Alloy Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media

Hussein A. Younus (), Maimouna Al Hinai, Mohammed Al Abri and Rashid Al-Hajri ()
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Hussein A. Younus: Nanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Maimouna Al Hinai: Nanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Mohammed Al Abri: Nanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Rashid Al-Hajri: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khould, P.O. Box 33, Muscat 123, Oman

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: 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 −2 at a low overpotential of 125 mV, along with a low Tafel slope of 79.1 mV dec −1 . 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 2 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.

Keywords: electrocatalyst; HER; electrodeposition; alkaline conditions; 3D structure; Cu-Ni-Co alloy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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