Facile synthesis of three-dimensional wrinkled cobalt-doped MoP/FeP4 nanospheres for boosted hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Rational design of cost-effective electrocatalysts with unique morphological structures and chemical compositions is highly imperative for the future hydrogen-based economy. Herein, we construct three-dimensional wrinkled Co-MoP/FeP₄ nanospheres as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts by a simple and low-cost one-pot method. Due to the unique wrinkled nanosphere structure coupled with fine tuning of the electronic structure via Co doping and interactions between MoP/FeP₄ heterostructures, the Co-MoP/FeP₄ electrocatalyst delivers favorable HER activity: it requires only a low overpotential of 142 mV and 162 mV to achieve 10 mA cm⁻² (E_j=10), respectively, in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, surpassing the MoP/FeP₄ heterostructures (E_j=10 = 180 mV in acidic electrolyte; E_j=10 = 205 mV in alkaline electrolyte), and displays better stability and durability. This work introduces a facile and effective design principle that can finely adjust the morphology and electronic structure by an interfacial engineering strategy for highly active HER catalysts.