This work deals with
the synthesis and characterization of one-dimensional
(1D) imidazole-containing etidronates, [M
2
(ETID)(Im)
3
]·
n
H
2
O (M = Co
2+
and Ni
2+
;
n
= 0, 1, 3) and [Zn
2
(ETID)
2
(H
2
O)
2
](Im)
2
,
as well as the corresponding Co
2+
/Ni
2+
solid
solutions, to evaluate their properties as multipurpose materials
for energy conversion processes. Depending on the water content, metal
ions in the isostructural Co
2+
and Ni
2+
derivatives
are octahedrally coordinated (
n
= 3) or consist of
octahedral together with dimeric trigonal bipyramidal (
n
= 1) or square pyramidal (
n
= 0) environments.
The imidazole molecule acts as a ligand (Co
2+
, Ni
2+
derivatives) or charge-compensating protonated species (Zn
2+
derivative). For the latter, the proton conductivity is determined
to be ∼6 × 10
–4
S·cm
–1
at 80 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH). By pyrolyzing in 5%H
2
–Ar at 700–850 °C, core–shell electrocatalysts
consisting of Co
2+
-, Ni
2+
-phosphides or Co
2+
/Ni
2+
-phosphide solid solution particles embedded
in a N-doped carbon graphitic matrix are obtained, which exhibit improved
catalytic performances compared to the non-N-doped carbon materials.
Co
2+
phosphides consist of CoP and Co
2
P in variable
proportions according to the used precursor and pyrolytic conditions.
However, the Ni
2+
phosphide is composed of Ni
2
P exclusively at high temperatures. Exploration of the electrochemical
activity of these metal phosphides toward the oxygen evolution reaction
(OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reaction
(HER) reveals that the anhydrous Co
2
(ETID)(Im)
3
pyrolyzed at 800 °C (CoP/Co
2
P = 80/20 wt %) is the
most active trifunctional electrocatalyst, with good integrated capabilities
as an anode for overall water splitting (cell voltage of 1.61 V) and
potential application in Zn–air batteries. This solid also
displays a moderate activity for the HER with an overpotential of
156 mV and a Tafel slope of 79.7 mV·dec
–1
in
0.5 M H
2
SO
4
. Ni
2+
- and Co
2+
/Ni
2+
-phosphide solid solutions show lower electrochemical
perform...