Ni-based aligned plate intermetallic nanostructures as effective catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

[Display omitted] •A synthesis method of lamellar nanostructures for HER electrocatalyst is presented.•The γ' nanoplates exhibit efficient catalytic properties towards HER process.•Potential applications of this nanostructure synthesis method are evaluated. Nanostructures have been reported as promising hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. However, the synthesis method often involves inefficient chemical techniques that are too slow for large-scale application. Here we present a recently developed synthesis method for aligned plate intermetallic nanostructures in Ni-Co-Al alloys through discontinuous precipitation followed by selective etching process. The γ' nanoplates have been proved to exhibit efficient catalytic properties towards HER compared with un-etched alloys due to highly enlarged specific surface area. The potential applications of this nanostructure synthesis method are evaluated and further investigations are also proposed.