One-step galvanostatic electrodeposition of Ni-Se-Dy film on Ni foam for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution

Efficient, stable, and environmentally friendly electrocatalysts urgently need to be explored for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A novel and facile nickel–selenium–dysprosium (Ni–Se–Dy) electrocatalyst was synthesized on Ni foam via simple and feasible one–step galvanostatic electrodeposition. The prepared Ni–Se–Dy electrodes showed excellent HER activity in alkaline medium with low overpotential values of 72 and 173 mV to deliver the current density values of 10 and 50 mA·cm ⁻². Tafel slope value (119.72 mV·dec ⁻¹ ) for Ni–Se–Dy electrode in 1.0 M KOH indicated that the Ni–Se–Dy catalyst followed a Volmer–Heyrovsky mechanism, and the rate–determining step of this reaction was a Volmer step. Electrochemical test and scanning electron microscopy results showed that the excellent HER performance of Ni–Se–Dy electrode can be attributed to surface morphology, better intrinsic activity, and high conductivity.