# An In-Plane Heterostructure Ni3N/MoSe2 Loaded on Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Enhances the Catalyst Performance for Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

## TL;DR

A new non-noble metal catalyst, Ni3N/MoSe2@N-rGO, shows high activity and durability for hydrogen oxidation in fuel cells, comparable to expensive platinum-based catalysts.

## Contribution

A two-step method to create a Ni3N/MoSe2@N-rGO in-plane heterostructure for efficient and durable HOR electrocatalysis.

## Key findings

- The catalyst achieves current densities of 2.15 and 3.06 mA cm−2 in alkaline and acidic electrolytes, respectively.
- It maintains performance after 5000 accelerated degradation cycles, showing excellent durability.
- The performance is comparable to commercial 20% Pt/C catalysts under similar conditions.

## Abstract

Non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) that are both highly active and low-cost are essential for the widespread use of fuel cells. Herein, a simple two-step method for creating an in-plane heterostructure of Ni3N/MoSe2 loaded on N-doped reduced graphene oxide (Ni3N/MoSe2@N-rGO) as an effective electrocatalyst for the HOR is described. The process involves hydrothermal treatment of the Ni and Mo precursors with N-doped reduced graphene oxide, followed by the annealing with urea. The Ni3N/MoSe2@N-rGO catalyst exhibits high activities for the HOR, with current densities of 2.15 and 3.06 mA cm−2 at 0.5 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in H2-saturated 0.1 M KOH and 0.1 M HClO4 electrolytes, respectively, which is comparable to a commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates excellent durability, maintaining its performance during accelerated degradation tests for 5000 cycles. This work offers a practical framework for the designing and preparing of non-precious metal electrocatalysts for the HOR in fuel cells.