Ultrafine CoPS nanoparticles encapsulated in N, P, and S tri-doped porous carbon as an efficient bifunctional water splitting electrocatalyst in both acid and alkaline solutions. Issue 22 (23rd May 2018) - Hu, Yiping
Abstract : Searching for the same highly efficient, stable and non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER) is crucial to renewable-energy conversion systems. Abstract : Searching for highly efficient, stable and non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER) is crucial to renewable-energy conversion systems. Cobalt phosphosulfide (CoPS) is regarded as a promising electrocatalyst for the HER in acid solution. Nonetheless, there are no studies of its HER and OER activity in basic solution. Herein, we engineer a novel and highly efficient water splitting electrocatalyst of ultrafine CoPS nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in N, P, and S tri-doped porous carbon (CoPS@NPS-C) through metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and commercial carbon black (XC-72) as precursors. The abundant and evenly distributed metals of MOFs form ultrafine CoPS NPs, and the rich N organic ligands of MOFs and XC-72 are shaped into the NPS-C to protect CoPS NPs leading to long-term stability in water-splitting applications. Meanwhile, the strong interaction between CoPS and NPS-C in this special structure not only ensures the high activity of the HER in acid solution and the OER in alkaline solution, but also maintains good HER performance in alkaline solution. The results display that the novel structure electrocatalyst of CoPS@NPS-C has great potential in water-splitting applications.