Noble-metal-free catalyst with enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction activity based on granulated Co-doped Ni-Mo phosphide nanorod arrays

Abstract

The development of noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for water splitting is indispensable for the efficient production of hydrogen fuel. Herein, a Co-doped Ni-Mo phosphide nanorod arrays fabricated on porous Ni foam was shown to be an efficient binder-free electrocatalyst for water splitting. This catalyst featured exceptional activity, exhibiting an overpotential of 29 mV at a current density of 10 mA•cm −2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction, whereas the corresponding precatalyst exhibited an overpotential of 314 mV at a current density of 50 mA•cm −2 for the oxygen evolution reaction. The achieved electrocatalytic performance provided access to a simple water splitting system, affording a current density of 10 mA•cm −2 at 1.47 V in 1 M KOH electrolyte. Density functional theory results indicated that Co doping and phosphorization were responsible for the high electrocatalytic performance. Thus, this work paves the way for the development of novel noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for practical H 2 production via water splitting.

Developments and Perspectives on Robust Nano‐ and Microstructured Binder‐Free Electrodes for Bifunctional Water Electrolysis and Beyond

“…It has been observed that the existence of two or more dopant elements also increases the potential to enhance the conductive nature, active sites, and the prospect of tuning the catalytic activity of the host material. For example, Fe–Ni incorporated conductive metal‐organic framework (CMOF) nanowire arrays on CC, [ 299 ] Fe doped Ni 3 S 2 NNs supported on NF, [ 300 ] Co‐doped Ni–Mo phosphide nanorod arrays fabricated on NF, [ 301 ] ternary pyrite‐type cobalt phosphosulfide (CoPS) on CFP, [ 302 ] vanadium doped CoP nanorods array catalyst grown on CC, [ 303 ] and electrodeposited Co–P on a CuO nanowire array on CF [ 304 ] have been realized as robust electrocatalysts for energy conversion.…”

Optimizing nanostructure and constructing heterostructure via Mo/W incorporation to improve electrochemical properties of NiCoP for hybrid supercapacitors

“…Introducing foreign atoms into TMPs to form heterostructures is an effective strategy to increase active sites and enhance reaction kinetics [23,24]. For instance, incorporating Co cations into Ni 5 P 4 could generate two new phases (hexagonal NiCoP and orthorhombic CoP).…”

Metal–organic framework derived Os-doped NixP/N-doped carbon composite nanosheet arrays toward boosting methanol oxidation into value-added chemicals coupled with hydrogen production

“…In general, doped NMPs exhibit optimized electronic structures and reaction kinetics, resulting in improved electrochemical performance compared to pristine NMPs. 33–35…”

“…In general, doped NMPs exhibit optimized electronic structures and reaction kinetics, resulting in improved electrochemical performance compared to pristine NMPs. [33][34][35] Inspired by the discussion above, an Os-doped Ni x P (Ni 2 P-Ni 12 P 5 ) nanosheet array/N-C composite on nickel foam (Os-Ni x P/N-C/NF) was constructed by growing a 2D Os-doped Ni-MOF on Ni foam followed by the phosphating process. The Ndoped carbon 2D matrix nanosheet arrays not only enhance the electrical conductivity but also anchor the Os-Ni x P particles to prevent agglomeration and expose more active sites.…”