Synthesis of Self-Supported Cu/Cu3P Nanoarrays as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Owing to the energy crisis and environmental pollution, it is essential to develop cheap, environmentally friendly and sustainable energy to replace noble metal electrocatalysts for use in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We report herein that a Cu/Cu3P nanoarray catalyst was directly grown on the surfaces of Cu nanosheets from its Cu/CuO nanoarray precursor by a low-temperature phosphidation process. In particular, the effects of phosphating distance, mass ratio and temperature on the morphology of Cu/Cu3P nanoarrays were studied in detail. This nanoarray, as an electrocatalyst, displays excellent catalytic performance and long-term stability in an acid solution for electrochemical hydrogen generation. Specifically, the Cu/Cu3P nanoarray-270 exhibits a low onset overpotential (96 mV) and a small Tafel slope (131 mV dec−1).

Copper Selenophosphate, Cu3PSe4, Nanoparticle Synthesis: Octadecane Is the Key to a Simplified, Atom-Economical Reaction

“…The surface composition was initially analyzed with 1 H NMR on Cu 3– x P particles, washed to remove excess precursors, which was indicative of long alkyl chains consistent with HDA as the primary, surface-bound ligand (Figure S18). Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) 1s regions (Figure S19) is representative of HDA binding environments according to previous literature reports. ,, Of note, the Cu and P 2p binding region (Figure A and B) demonstrates the characteristic Cu 3– x P environments, ,− while the satellite Cu­(II) peak (Figure B) and P–O peak at 134 eV likely corresponds to surface oxides. − , Finally, Cu 3 PSe 4 was characterized with XPS for Cu, P, Se, and C bonding environments (Figure S20). The core bonding environments (Cu, P and Se) were consistent with previous reports of Cu 3 PSe 4 and Cu 3 PS 4 , − , whereas the C region had similar peaks to Cu 3– x P NPs but a decrease in the C-NH 2 environment (Figure S20D).…”

Synthesis and Applications of Copper-Based Catalysts

“…The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is derived from electrochemical water splitting, is one of the most economical and environmentally benign avenues to produce green hydrogen. Dang et al [5] synthesized self-supported Cu/Cu 3 P nanoarrays through a low-temperature phosphidation process, which were directly grown on the surfaces of Cu nanosheets from Cu/CuO nanoarrays precursor. Typically, Cu/Cu 3 P nanoarray-270 electrocatalysts show superior electrocatalytic activity and long-term stability for HER in an acidic electrolyte solution, accompanied by an onset overpotential of 96 mV and a small Tafel slope of 131 mV per decade.…”