Water electrolysis using the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production. Platinum-based catalysts have traditionally been the most efficient HER catalysts, but their scarcity and sluggish water dissociation limit their practical applications. Here we report on a novel superhydrophilic catalyst of nickel supported on nickel molybdenum nitride (Ni/Ni_0.8Mo_4.2N₆) that outperforms platinum-based nanomaterials. Despite the low catalytic activity of Ni or Ni_0.8Mo_4.2N₆ alone, their optimized composite exhibits exceptional HER activity, with respective 500% and 150% increases in the exchange current and turnover frequency compared to commercial Pt/C. Density of states calculations reveal a decrease in electron density of the supported nickel in Ni/Ni_0.8Mo_4.2N₆, leading to a lower free energy of the HER. These findings demonstrate a powerful electron-engineering strategy for designing supported electrocatalysts with outstanding performance for the HER and related processes.

使用析氢反应（HER）的水电解是一种有前途的可持续制氢方法。铂基催化剂传统上是最有效的HER催化剂，但其稀缺性和缓慢的水解离限制了其实际应用。在这里，我们报道了一种新型镍钼氮化物负载的超亲水催化剂（Ni/Ni _0.8 Mo _4.2 N ₆），其性能优于铂基纳米材料。_{尽管Ni或Ni 0.8} Mo _4.2 N ₆的催化活性较低仅凭这一点，他们的优化复合材料就表现出卓越的 HER 活性，与商业 Pt/C 相比，交换电流和周转频率分别增加了 500% 和 150%。_{态密度计算表明Ni/Ni 0.8} Mo _4.2 N ₆中负载镍的电子密度降低，导致HER自由能降低。这些发现证明了一种强大的电子工程策略，可用于设计在 HER 及相关过程中具有出色性能的支撑电催化剂。