Sugar Blowing‐Induced Porous Cobalt Phosphide/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanostructures with Enhanced Electrochemical Oxidation Performance toward Water and Other Small Molecules

Abstract

Rational design of high active and robust nonprecious metal catalysts with excellent catalytic efficiency in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is extremely vital for making the water splitting process more energy efficient and economical. Among these noble metal-free catalysts, transition-metal-based nanomaterials are considered as one of the most promising OER catalysts due to their relatively low-cost intrinsic activities, high abundance, and diversity in terms of structure and morphology. Herein, a facile sugar-blowing technique and low-temperature phosphorization are reported to generate 3D self-supported metal involved carbon nanostructures, which are termed as Co P@Co/nitrogen-doped carbon (Co P@Co/N-C). By capitalizing on the 3D porous nanostructures with high surface area, homogeneously dispersed active sites, the intimate interaction between active sites, and 3D N-doped carbon, the resultant Co P@Co/N-C exhibits satisfying OER performance superior to CoO@Co/N-C, delivering 10 mA cm at overpotential of 0.32 V. It is worth noting that in contrast to the substantial current density loss of RuO , Co P@Co/N-C shows much enhanced catalytic activity during the stability test and a 1.8-fold increase in current density is observed after stability test. Furthermore, the obtained Co P@Co/N-C can also be served as an excellent nonprecious metal catalyst for methanol and glucose electrooxidation in alkaline media, further extending their potential applications.

Stable and Efficient Nitrogen‐Containing Carbon‐Based Electrocatalysts for Reactions in Energy‐Conversion Systems

“…If their [a] N-GNT:N-doped graphenen anotube. [89] The proposed mechanism is consistent with the recently reported excellent electrocatalytic performance of N-doped graphene decorated with Fe-modifiedC oOOH nanoparticles. [88] The higher the 2p band centero fl attice oxygen, the more oxygen molecules are generated.…”

“…[88] In detail, upon increasing the covalency of MÀOi nT Mo xides (e.g.,t he covalencyo fC o ÀOi ncreasesf rom LaCoO 3 to SrCoO 3 ), the 2p band centers of lattice oxygen becomeh igher. [89] The negatively shifted peak of Co in the 2p X-ray photoelectron( XPS) spectrum and the enhanced response of the hydroxy (ÀOH) groups in the 1s XPS spectrum jointly revealt hat an oxygen compound of Co with ah igher oxidation level is generated. Figure 10).…”

“…[88] As for TM phosphides, Lin and co-workers report am echanism for the enhanced electrocatalytic performance. [89] The negatively shifted peak of Co in the 2p X-ray photoelectron( XPS) spectrum and the enhanced response of the hydroxy (ÀOH) groups in the 1s XPS spectrum jointly revealt hat an oxygen compound of Co with ah igher oxidation level is generated. [89] The proposed mechanism is consistent with the recently reported excellent electrocatalytic performance of N-doped graphene decorated with Fe-modifiedC oOOH nanoparticles.…”

Multifunctional Transition Metal‐Based Phosphides in Energy‐Related Electrocatalysis

“…Further analysis indicated that the improved performance was attributed to the increased hydrogen absorption ability as well as the oxophilic nature of surface phosphorus atoms. In comparison, nonnoble metal TMPs are also promising but their performance for these reactions is usually poorer as compared with that of noble TMPs . Aside from these, the electrocatalytic behaviors of TMPs toward organic molecules also extend their application to biosensors .…”

“…Successively, recent studies proved that TMPs can also serve as highly efficient catalysts or precatalysts in oxygen evolution/reduction, which extends their applications to water electrolyzer, metal–air batteries, and fuel cells . Besides, the burgeoning electrocatalytic applications of TMPs in CO 2 electrochemical reduction, and organic molecules electrocatalysis, along with regulation of the polysulfide redox conversion in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, raise TMPs again to be a research hotspot.…”