Facile Synthesis of Co₂P Nanoparticles Embedded in N- and P-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Composite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Developing highly efficient and affordable nonprecious metal catalysts is extremely significant to facilitate the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we constructed an N-and P-doped material decorated with embedded Co 2 P nanoparticles (termed as Co 2 P@NPC) by a facile and environmentally friendly method. The composite has abundant mesopores, rich heteroatom-doped species (such as pyridinic N, graphitic N, and P−C), and coupled Co 2 P nanoparticles. The desirable nanoarchitecture and composition endow the composite with promising catalytic activity for the OER. Interestingly, the electrocatalytic performance can be effectively boosted by surface self-reconstruction from Co 2 P into Co (oxy)hydroxide active species during the alkaline OER test. Consequently, the as-prepared Co 2 P@NPC after the electrochemical activation can afford a low delivery operation potential of 1.587 V at 10 mA cm −2 , surpassing that of the commercial RuO 2 . Furthermore, the Co 2 P@NPC|| Pt/C-based overall water splitting cell can achieve a voltage of as low as 1.580 V at 10 mA cm −2 and also shows exceptional stability.