Hollow Cobalt Phosphide with N-Doped Carbon Skeleton as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting

Abstract

The development of cost-effective, high-performance , and robust bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting remains highly desirable yet quite challenging. Here, by selecting appreciate precursors of dopamine and a Co-containing metal−organic framework of ZIF-67, we subtly couple their reaction processes to develop a facile approach for the synthesis of a hollow CoP nanostructure with N-doped carbon skeleton (H-CoP@NC). Benefiting from the highly porous nanostructure and conductive carbon skeleton, H-CoP@NC is capable of working as highly active and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction. When further used as the electrocatalyst for overall water splitting, H-CoP@NC delivers excellent activity cell voltage of 1.72 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2), close to that of the noble-metal-based benchmark catalyst couple of Pt/C||RuO2. Our work thus provides new insights into the development of transitional metal phosphides based hollow hybrid nanostructures, particularly those with multiple functionalities in sustainable energy conversion technologies and systems.

Engineering Hierarchical‐Dimensional Co(OH)F into CoP Superstructure for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

“…The overpotentials to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm 2 for CoP and CoP‐acid are 390 and 295 mV, respectively (Figure a). The CoP after acid treatment shows a much enhanced activity, which is consistent with its improved porosity . The Electrochemically active surface areas (ECSA) were tested for CoP‐acid and CoP with the former having 2.7 times higher ECSA, which is consistent with the morphology of the surface (Figure S10).…”

“…The CoP after acid treatment shows a much enhanced activity, which is consistent with its improved porosity. [18] The Electrochemically active surface areas (ECSA) were tested for CoP-acid and CoP with the former having 2.7 times higher ECSA, which is consistent with the morphology of the surface ( Figure S10). After the normalization, the CoP-acid has still higher activity than CoP, indicating the improved performance is because of the increased ECSA and other features such as faster mass diffusion.…”

Profuse Surface Activation of Ir‐Dispersed Titanium Nitride Bifunctional Electrocatalysts

“…To date, transition‐metal‐based electrocatalysts with specific functionalities correlated to their activity, selectivity, and stability promise great potentials as cheap electrode materials for electrochemical reactions. [ 9–12 ] Among these transition‐metal‐based electrocatalysts, metal nitrides have shown surprising unique characteristics and potential applications. [ 13–16 ] Explicitly, titanium nitride (TiN) offers high chemical stability with excellent resistance against corrosion and decent electrical conductivity, making it an outstanding alternative electro catalyst.…”

A Simple Method for Preparing Carbon‐doped CoP to Enhance Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…[35] In order to maintain catalytic activity and improve durability under harsh electrochemical conditions, remarkable progress has been made in the study of various carbon-based TMP nanocomposites. [36][37][38][39] Shen et al prepared a variety of Cobased ectrochemical materials to improve the performance of the catalysts. [40][41][42] In the process of water electrolysis, electron transfer is the internal driving force of the reaction.…”

“…fabricated a space‐confined CoP NPs in P‐doped dual carbon shells, which improved the conductivity and durability of the catalyst in HER [35] . In order to maintain catalytic activity and improve durability under harsh electrochemical conditions, remarkable progress has been made in the study of various carbon‐based TMP nanocomposites [36–39] . Shen et al.…”