In-situ self-catalyzed growth of bimetallic nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes: A flexible binder-free electrocatalyst for high-performance oxygen evolution reaction. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Y.; Zhang, H.; Ang, E.H.; Nie, Z.; Liu, H.; Du, Y.; Han, C.; Zhu, J.; Huang, W.
• Is Part Of: Materials today physics. Volume 16(2020)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: In-situ -- Self-catalyzed -- Carbon nanotubes -- Bimetallic nanoparticles -- Oxygen evolution reaction; Materials science -- Periodicals; Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2020.100303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2542-5293

Abstract

Abstract: The self-catalyzed growth of nano-structures on material surfaces is an economic and time-efficient way of designing multifunctional electrocatalysts for vast applications. NiCo bimetallic nanoparticles embedded in N-doped nanotubes (NCNTs) on carbon cloth substrate were formed here by a simple two-step method via hydrothermal treatment followed by in-situ pyrolysis and self-catalysis through chemical vapor deposition. The unique three-dimensional network and Ni/Co-N-C coordination of NiCo/NCNTs electrocatalyst provide predominant advantage for short-range and long-range conductivity and exposure of active sites. Such beneficial characteristics result in significant improvement in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performances. The electrocatalysts obtained from two NiCo bimetallic hydroxides with different structures exhibit the overpotential of 210 and 290 mV at current density of 20 mA cm −2 and the Tafel slope of 148 and 160 mV dec −1, respectively. In addition, electrocatalysts showed long-term stability throughout 25 h with negligible lost in catalytic activities of approximately 10.6% and 12.8%, respectively. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: New strategy is proposed for synthesis of flexible and non-noble metal electrode. NCNTs embedded with NiCo nanoparticles on CC were formed by self-catalysis method. NCNTs network facilitates cross-linked short/long-range electrical conduction. Ni/Co-N-C coordination provides excellent conductivity and abundant active sites. Low overpotential, fast kinetics and excellent durability were obtained for OER.