Core–Shell Carbon Nanofibers-NiFe Structure on 3D Porous Carbon Foam: Facilitating a Promising Trajectory toward Decarbonizing Energy Production

Abstract

<p>In this work, a low-cost, light-weight, highly efficient, and durable electrode in which NiFe-layered double hydroxide is electrodeposited on a carbon nanofiber (CNF) core supported on a carbon foam (CF) is introduced. The resulting 3D NiFe-CNFs-CF electrode shows excellent oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction performance in alkaline media. When used as an anode and a cathode in the same cell, a current density of 10 mA cm−2 is achieved, at a cell voltage of 1.65 V. Moreover, good stability over a long testing time (50 h) is demonstrated. The ternary hybrid electrode gives rise to an excellent performance-to-weight ratio owing to its very low bulk density (≈34 mg cm−3) inherited from super lightweight components composed of CF and CNFs. The developed electrode can potentially be used in large-scale alkaline water electrolysis, in facilities such as offshore hydrogen production platforms, which can complement the variable renewable energy production of wind farms through hydrogen storage and fuel cells.<br></p>