Issue 15, 2024

Construction of a reversible-cycling bifunctional electrocatalyst CoP2@Co(CO3)0.5OH/Cu/NF with Mott–Schottky structure for overall water splitting

Abstract

In recent years, interchangeable catalysts with combined functions of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have emerged as a focal point in water electrolysis. However, the irreversible decline in catalytic activity has posed a significant challenge for these catalysts. Here, we introduce a recyclable bifunctional electrocatalyst, CoP2@Co(CO3)0.5OH/Cu/NF, for overall water splitting, which can be easily regenerated by simply exchanging the anode and cathode. The samples are prepared by anchoring CoP2 nanoparticles on the surface of a Co(CO3)0.5OH/Cu heterojunction through an in situ generation process. Due to the internal electric field formed by the Mott–Schottky substrate composed of Co(CO3)0.5OH/Cu and the sensitization of CoP2 nanoparticles, the resulting samples exhibit low overpotentials and rapid reaction kinetics for HER and OER catalytic activities. The integrated water decomposition electrolyzer operates efficiently at a decomposition voltage of only 1.56 V to achieve a current density of 20 mA cm−2. Remarkably, after one stable cycling operation, the sample can regain 100% electrocatalytic efficiency by exchanging the cathode/anode. This pioneering work presents a novel approach to designing high-performance, long-lasting, and bifunctional electrocatalysts suitable for industrial application.

Graphical abstract: Construction of a reversible-cycling bifunctional electrocatalyst CoP2@Co(CO3)0.5OH/Cu/NF with Mott–Schottky structure for overall water splitting

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
07 May 2024
Accepted
17 Jun 2024
First published
18 Jun 2024

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024,11, 4654-4671

Construction of a reversible-cycling bifunctional electrocatalyst CoP2@Co(CO3)0.5OH/Cu/NF with Mott–Schottky structure for overall water splitting

X. Liao, X. Lang, T. Zhang, C. Li, J. Zou, Q. Li, W. Hu and H. Lin, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024, 11, 4654 DOI: 10.1039/D4QI01127A

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