Hydrogen adsorption trends on various metal-doped Ni₂P surfaces for optimal catalyst design

In this study, we looked at the hydrogen evolution reaction on Mg-, Mo-, Fe-, Co-, V-, and Cu-doped Ni₃P₂ and Ni₃P₂ + P terminated Ni₂P surfaces. The DFT calculated hydrogen adsorption free energy was employed as a predictor of the materials' catalytic HER activity. Our results indicate that doping can substantially improve the catalytic activity of the Ni₃P₂ terminated surface. In contrast, the Ni₃P₂ + P terminated one seems to be catalytically active irrespective of the type of doping, including in the absence of doping. Based on our doping energy and adsorption free energy calculations, the most promising dopants are iron and cobalt, whereas copper is less likely to function well as a doping element.