ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Laser-Induced Instant Fabrication of High-Performance FeC/Ni Cathode for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
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Material Science and Engineering, KFUPM
Submission date: 2025-12-04
Final revision date: 2026-04-21
Acceptance date: 2026-08-22
Publication date: 2026-09-27
Journal of Undergraduate Research International 2026;2(3A):113-118
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ABSTRACT
This study aimed to develop a highly efficient and stable non-noble metal electrocatalyst to overcome the slow kinetics of the
hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during water splitting. To achieve this, a rapid two-step fabrication strategy was employed:
solvothermal deposition of an Fe-based material onto a Ni foam, followed by CO2 laser irradiation. This thermal process drives
the in situ growth of a uniform iron carbide phase, creating a hierarchically roughened surface with abundant active sites. Material
and electrochemical characterizations revealed that the laser-treated electrode retains the original structure of the substrate, while
achieving a threefold increase in the electrochemically active surface area compared to that of a pristine Ni foam. Consequently, the
laser-treated Fe3C/Ni electrode demonstrated improved catalytic activity in an alkaline electrolyte, requiring an overpotential of 77
mV to reach a current density of 10 mA/cm−2, whereas the pristine Ni foam requires 215 mV. The electrode also exhibited a low
Tafel slope of 108 mV dec−1 and maintained operational stability over 24 h of continuous use. This laser-mediated manufacturing
technology offers a scalable, rapid pathway for designing robust, earth-abundant electrocatalysts for large-scale sustainable hydrogen
production.