Strengthened Synergistic Effect of Metallic M_xP_y (M = Co, Ni, and Cu) and Carbon Layer via Peapod‐Like Architecture for Both Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Abstract

The smooth electric transmission is crucial for the high-efficient electrocatalysis. Herein, a series of peapod-like metallic M P /C (M = Co, Ni, and Cu) composites is developed as bifunctional catalysts toward hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. For the first time, the metallic property of Cu P is confirmed through the theoretical calculation. The in-depth composition, structural and catalytic mechanism analysis of M P /C discloses that the comparable activity and considerable durability of these catalysts mainly result from the strengthened synergistic effect between metallic M P and carbon layer based on the unique peapod-like architecture. Especially, the atomic contact between M P and carbon not only provides an open channel for electronic transmission but also ensures the integrity of peapod-like structure. Furthermore, the high electric conductivity of the inner metallic M P and the outer carbon layer endows the M P /C catalyst with rapid charge migration during the electrocatalytic pathway. These findings shed light on the origin of high catalytic activity of M P /C and open a path for purposefully rationally synthesizing superior electrocatalysts.

Bimetallic NiMoN Nanowires with a Preferential Reactive Facet: An Ultraefficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting

“…[6][7][8] However,t he high cost, scarcity,a nd unsatisfactory durability of such catalysts limit their widespreadu se and largescale deployment. [13][14][15][16][17] The largescale utilization of the above materials is significantly impeded by high price ands carcity or by their single functionality. [13][14][15][16][17] The largescale utilization of the above materials is significantly impeded by high price ands carcity or by their single functionality.…”

“…Accordingly,r ecent efforts have mainly focused on efficient earth-abundant materials,s uch as cobalt phosphate, perovskites, transition metal oxides, and hydroxides for OER, [9][10][11][12] andt ransition metal dichalcogenides, car-bides, phosphides, and metal alloys for HER. [13][14][15][16][17] The largescale utilization of the above materials is significantly impeded by high price ands carcity or by their single functionality. Therefore, it is tremendously desirable to design ah ighly active and highly durable bifunctional electrocatalyst from earth-abundant materials for overall water splitting.…”

Tuning Unique Peapod‐Like Co(SxSe1–x)2 Nanoparticles for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

“…The outer carbon fiber in the peapod‐like structure will not only build the ideal conductive network of the charge transportation in the HER or OER, but also prevent the active nanoparticles from agglomeration and peeling off during long‐time reaction. Furthermore, it is identified that there exists strengthened synergistic effect between the active nanoparticles and carbon layer via peapod‐like architecture, leading to the superior activity and comparable stability . However, the development of catalysts with peapod‐like structure toward overall water splitting is currently lacking.…”

Phase‐Controlled Cobalt Phosphide Nanoparticles Coupled with N, P, S Co‐Doped Hollow Carbon Polyhedrons as Efficient Catalysts for Both Alkaline and Acidic Hydrogen Evolution

“…The C dl was measured by cyclic voltammograms (CVs) in the nonfaradaic region from 0.1 to 0.2 V vs. RHE with different scan rates (Figure S9b–f and S10b, Supporting Information). The value of C dl was estimated by plotting the difference between the anodic and cathodic current density at 0.15 V vs. RHE against the scan rate, where the linear slope was twice that of the C dl . As illustrated in Figure d, the value of C dl of Co x P@NPS‐C (14.73 mF cm −2 ) is much larger than those of other materials (whose values are 0.88, 3.26, 4.54, 5.80, and 9.74 mF cm −2 for NPS‐C, Co@NC, CoP@NC, Co 2 P@NPS‐C, and CoP@NPS‐C, respectively), revealing that the Co x P@NPS‐C catalyst owns the maximal exposure of electrochemically active sites for HER.…”