Recent advancements in the synthesis of nickel disulfide (NiS2) have revealed its exceptional potential as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A breakthrough study demonstrated that NiS2 nanosheets, synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, exhibit a remarkably low overpotential of 98 mV at 10 mA/cm², surpassing many conventional platinum-based catalysts. The high catalytic activity is attributed to the unique electronic structure of NiS2, which facilitates efficient electron transfer and optimal hydrogen adsorption. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the sulfur-rich surface of NiS2 enhances the desorption of hydrogen molecules, a critical step in HER. This discovery positions NiS2 as a cost-effective alternative to precious metal catalysts in renewable energy applications.
NiS2 has also emerged as a promising candidate for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysis, a key process in water splitting and metal-air batteries. A 2023 study reported that NiS2 nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon frameworks achieved an overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA/cm², with a Tafel slope of 42 mV/dec, outperforming state-of-the-art IrO2 catalysts. The synergistic effect between NiS2 and the carbon matrix enhances conductivity and stability, while the nitrogen doping introduces active sites for OER. Long-term stability tests revealed minimal degradation after 100 hours of continuous operation, highlighting its potential for industrial-scale applications. These findings underscore the versatility of NiS2 in addressing the challenges of sustainable energy conversion.
In addition to HER and OER, NiS2 has shown remarkable efficacy in photocatalytic applications. A recent study demonstrated that NiS2-TiO2 heterostructures exhibit a photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of 12.8 mmol/g/h under visible light irradiation, nearly three times higher than pristine TiO2. The enhanced performance is attributed to the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs at the NiS2-TiO2 interface and the broad light absorption spectrum of NiS2. Moreover, the heterostructure demonstrated excellent stability over multiple cycles, retaining 95% of its initial activity after 50 hours. This breakthrough paves the way for designing highly efficient photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen generation.
The application of NiS2 in electrochemical CO₂ reduction has also garnered significant attention. A groundbreaking study revealed that NiS2 nanorods modified with copper dopants achieved a Faradaic efficiency of 92% for CO production at -0.8 V vs RHE, with a current density of 15 mA/cm². The copper dopants optimize the binding energy of CO₂ intermediates on the NiS2 surface, while the nanorod morphology provides abundant active sites and facilitates mass transport. This innovation offers a sustainable pathway for converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals using earth-abundant materials.
Finally, recent research has explored the use of NiS2 in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries as a polysulfide shuttle inhibitor. A novel design incorporating NiS2-coated separators demonstrated a capacity retention rate of 85% after 500 cycles at 1C rate, compared to only 45% for conventional separators. The strong chemisorption between NiS₂ and polysulfides effectively mitigates capacity fading and enhances cycling stability. These results highlight the multifaceted potential of NiS₂ in advancing next-generation energy storage technologies.
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