Exploration of transition metal atom-doped NiSe₂ electrocatalysts for efficient alkaline hydrogen precipitation using first principles screening

Transition metal (TM) doping exhibits great potential in designing high-performance two-dimensional (2D) NiSe₂-based catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). 22 TM atom-doped 2D-NiSe₂ catalysts are screened, and the effects of TM doping on the thermal stability and HER catalytic activity are investigated by first-principles calculations. Among them, Cu doped 2D-NiSe₂ might exhibit remarkable HER properties with the water dissociation energy of 1.03 eV and H adsorption Gibbs free energy of −0.05 eV. Furthermore, we elucidate the reasons behind the different HER activities. These findings suggest new possibilities for the application of Cu doped 2D-NiSe₂ for alkaline HER, offering new perspectives for future research.