Nanovilli electrode boosts hydrogen evolution: A surface with superaerophobicity and superhydrophilicity

Although tremendous efforts have been paid on electrocatalysts toward efficient electrochemical hydrogen generation, breakthrough is still highly needed in the design and synthesis of wonderful non-precious-metal electrocatalyst. Herein, a nanovilli Ni₂P electrode, which with superaerophobic and superhydropholic can significantly facilitate the mass and electron transfer was constructed via a facial morphology control strategy. Meanwhile, the substitution of sluggish oxygen evolution with urea oxidation, lowering the two-electrode cell voltage to only 1.48 volts to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm⁻². Thus, the as-constructed electrode achieves the operation of hydrogen generation by an AA battery. This work sheds new light on the exploration of other high-efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation by using intermittent clean energy.