Nitrogen-self doped activated carbon nanosheets derived from peanut shells for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Herein, we demonstrate a facile synthesis of peanut shell-derived activated carbon nanosheets using a facile thermal technique aided by chemical activation process for improved hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The obtained activated carbon nanosheets show a multilayer sheet-like morphology with a highly porous nature and possess a very high surface area of ~2338 m2 g−1. The physiochemical analysis reveals that the catalytically active sites are associated with the prepared activated carbon nanosheets. The as-prepared activated carbon material employs as a potential metal-free electrocatalyst for H2 production under acidic electrolyte, exhibiting superior electrocatalytic performance with a less negative onset potential of 0.08 V Vs. RHE with low overpotential (η) response, small Tafel slope, and long-term stability. The enhanced HER activity of the developed activated carbon is attributed to high BET specific surface area, high porous nature and two-dimensional structure, employing as an encouraging impeccable metal-free HER catalyst. For the first time, we have successfully analysed and reporting an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards H2 production by activated carbon derived from peanut shell biomass.