Formation of Uniform FeP Hollow Microspheres Assembled by Nanosheets for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

High‐performance electrocatalysts with superior stability are critically important for their practical applications in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Recently, some electrocatalysts with hollow and porous structures have attracted much attention because of their large surface‐to‐volume ratio and highly exposed active edge sites. In this study, the hierarchical Fe‐based glycolate hollow microspheres composed of nanosheet subunits are synthesized by the solvothermal method. The morphology and microstructure of Fe‐based glycolate hollow microspheres can be controlled by adjusting the amount of ethylenediamine. After phosphorizing in nitrogen, the Fe‐based glycolate can be converted into FeP with well‐retained structure. Furthermore, the hierarchical FeP hollow microspheres have been used as electrocatalysts for HER. Benefitting from its high surface area, the FeP hollow microspheres exhibited high catalytic activity toward HER with low onset overpotential, small Tafel slope, and good stability under acidic conditions. The excellent catalytic activity and long‐term stability suggest promising application potential of FeP hollow microspheres in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Single Atoms and Clusters Based Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Evolution, Oxygen Evolution Reactions, and Full Water Splitting

“…3d‐Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have high electrical and thermal conductivity and have been extensively applied as catalysts for hydrodenitrogenation/hydrodesulfurization, and as an anodic material for lithium ion batteries . Recently, TMPs such as CoP, Ni 2 P, Cu 3 P, WP, MoP, and FeP are found to be active and stable materials for HER . Among all these 3d‐TMPs, FeP is highly attractive because Fe is the most earth‐abundant and low‐cost metallic element and FeP has been used as HER electrocatalysts .…”

“…Recently, TMPs such as CoP, Ni 2 P, Cu 3 P, WP, MoP, and FeP are found to be active and stable materials for HER . Among all these 3d‐TMPs, FeP is highly attractive because Fe is the most earth‐abundant and low‐cost metallic element and FeP has been used as HER electrocatalysts . Guo et al synthesized hierarchical hollow microspheres of FeP as a HER electrocatalyst .…”

“…Among all these 3d‐TMPs, FeP is highly attractive because Fe is the most earth‐abundant and low‐cost metallic element and FeP has been used as HER electrocatalysts . Guo et al synthesized hierarchical hollow microspheres of FeP as a HER electrocatalyst . This catalyst showed η 10 = 144 mV with ζ = 58 mV dec −1 and reasonable stability for 1000 CV cycles.…”

Precursor‐Based Synthesis of Porous Colloidal Particles towards Highly Efficient Catalysts

“…Recently FeP hollow microspheres with porouss tructures have been synthesized by subjecting the Feglycolatep recursors to ap hosphiding process. [44] The obtained FeP poroush ollow spheres demonstrate excellent HER performance and long-term stability.Af ew researches also focus on metal-glycolate precursors and subsequentp ost-treatment to develop porous colloidal particles for catalytic or sodium/ lithium ion batteriesa pplications, such as Ti-glycolate precursor, [45] Co-glycolate precursor, [46] and Mg-glycolate precursor. [47]…”

“…Similarly, glycolate‐based hollow particles can be achieved. Recently FeP hollow microspheres with porous structures have been synthesized by subjecting the Fe‐glycolate precursors to a phosphiding process . The obtained FeP porous hollow spheres demonstrate excellent HER performance and long‐term stability.…”