# Rhodium Nanoparticle-Supported Graphitic Carbon-Encapsulated Nickel Metal Core Electrocatalyst via Pulsed Laser Ablation for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to create a durable and efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen production using nickel and noble metals.

## Contribution

A novel two-step pulsed laser ablation method to synthesize Rh- and Ir-decorated Ni@GC composites for HER with enhanced stability and performance.

## Key findings

- The catalyst achieves a current density of 46 mV at 10 mA cm–2 with a low Tafel slope of 36 mV dec–1.
- The optimized electrocatalyst shows long-term stability over 24 hours in acidic electrolyte.

## Abstract

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media
exhibits
high reaction rates but is often hindered by stability challenges
under corrosive conditions. In this study, we introduce a novel approach
to synthesizing nickel nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped
carbon layers decorated with noble metals (Ir and Rh), with the aim
of improving catalytic activity, durability, and conductivity for
HER applications. Using a two-step pulsed laser ablation and irradiation
process, this environmentally friendly synthesis facilitates the rapid
production of Rh- and Ir-decorated Ni@GC composites with robust metal–support
interactions. The resulting catalysts exhibit outstanding HER performance
in 0.5 M H2SO4 acidic electrolyte, achieving
a current density of 46 mV at 10 mA cm–2 with a
low Tafel slope of 36 mV dec–1. The optimized Rh-Ni@GC
electrocatalyst showed long stability results over 24 h using a chronoamperometry
test. This work demonstrates a sustainable and effective method for
developing high-performance electrocatalysts for hydrogen production.