Two-dimensional Co3W3C nanosheets on graphene nanocomposition: An Pt-like electrocatalyst toward hydrogen evolution reaction in wide pH range. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Chunyong; Tao, Juzhou
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 8(2018)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Two-dimensional -- Bimetallic carbide -- Electrocatalyst -- Hydrogen evolution reaction -- Water splitting; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2017.12.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: It is still a great challenge to replace Pt by non-precious metal electrocatalysts toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their sluggish kinetics and poor electrochemical durability. Here, we reported a novel two-dimensional Co3 W3 C nanosheets on graphene nanocomposition (Co3 W3 C NSs/G) that synthesized by a simple two-step method. The overpotential of Co3 W3 C NSs/G at 10 mA cm −2 (η10 ) is just 64 mV in 0.5 M H2 SO4 solution, which is very close to Pt/C (37 mV). The Tafel slope of Co3 W3 C NSs/G is 35 mV dec −1, which is also very close to Pt/C (30 mV dec −1 ). The exchange current density (j0 ) of Co3 W3 C NSs/G is 0.232 mA cm −2, which is almost as high as Pt/C (0.279 mA cm −2 ). Overall, the Co3 W3 C NSs/G exhibits Pt-like catalytic activity toward HER. Furthermore, the Co3 W3 C NSs/G shows outstanding HER activities and extreme high electrochemical durability in a wide pH range. The density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations show that the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen bonding (Δ G H*, * denotes an adsorption site) of the Co3 W3 C is −0.15 eV, which is also very close to Pt (−0.09 eV). Graphical abstract: Highlights: Two-dimensional Co3 W3 C nanosheets on graphene (Co3 W3 C NSs/G) were synthesized. The Co3 W3 C nanosheets are ultrathin, just about 1.19 nm thick. The overpotential of Co3 W3 C NSs/G at 10 mA cm −2 is as small as 64 mV for HER. The Tafel slope of Co3 W3 C NSs/G is as small as 35 mV dec −1 . The Co3 W3 C NSs/G shows outstanding activity and electrochemical durability in wide pH range.