Interface Engineering of Partially Phosphidated Co@Co–P@NPCNTs for Highly Enhanced Electrochemical Overall Water Splitting. Issue 41 (22nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiao, Jiqing; Yang, Wenjuan; Pan, Yuan; Zhang, Chao; Liu, Shoujie; Chen, Chen; Wang, Dingsheng
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 16:Issue 41(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-09-22
• Subjects: carbon nanotubes -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- interface engineering -- oxygen evolution reaction -- water splitting; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Interface engineering is promising but still challenging for developing highly efficient and stable non‐noble‐metal‐based electrocatalysts for water splitting. Herein, partially phosphidated core@shell Co@Co–P nanoparticles encapsulated in bamboo‐like N, P co‐doped carbon nanotubes (denoted as Part‐Ph Co@Co–P@NPCNTs) are prepared through a pyrolysis–oxidation–phosphidation strategy. In this structure, each Co nanoparticle is covered with a thin Co–P layer to form a special core@shell heterojunction interface, and the core@shell structure is further encapsulated by N, P co‐doped CNTs that not only protect the Co from corrosion but also guarantee an effective and fast electron transfer on cobalt phosphide. As a bifunctional catalyst for both the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, it exhibits an excellent activity for overall water splitting, and enables long‐term operation without significant degradation. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the interface of the Co/Co2 P heterojunction could lower the values of Δ G H * (hydrogen adsorption) and Δ G B (water dissociation), which are negatively correlated to the j 10, because of the electronic structures of up‐shifted d ‐band center. This study not only presents an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for overall water splitting but also provides a special route for the interface engineering of heterostructures. Abstract : A composite catalyst comprising partially phosphidated core@shell Co@Co–P nanoparticles encapsulated in bamboo‐like N, P co‐doped carbon nanotubes is prepared through a pyrolysis–oxidation–phosphidation strategy. As a bifunctional catalyst for both the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, it exhibits an excellent activity and stability for water splitting. A special route for the interface engineering of heterostructures is provided.