Nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots conjugated with AgNi alloy nanoparticles as potential electrocatalyst for efficient water splitting

An ideal bifunctional electro-catalyst for water splitting is low cost, easily available and have lower over-potential. Here, a new nitrogen doped carbon dots (NDCDs)-AgNi alloy based electrocatalyst is used for electrochemical water splitting. NDCDs-AgNi alloy nanoparticles are synthesized by easy and scalable methods. NDCDs are prepared by pyrolizing ethanolamine and act as a good electrocatalyst for HER. Electrochemical activity of the catalyst is evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and linear swap voltammetry. The prepared electrocatalyst work well under acidic media. To enhance the catalytic performance of the material, the heat treatment at temperature from 300 °C to 500 °C is carried out. After series of optimizations, NDCDs-AgNi alloy demonstrated superior OER activity. The results show that the limiting current density has been increased and the heat treated samples shows HER phenomena. •Nitrogen doped carbon dots modified AgNi alloy nanoparticles were synthesized.•Potential electrocatalysts for water splitting.•Excellent electrocatalytic performance compared with noble metals that proved highly.•Noble-metal- free electrocatalyst for renewable energy applications.