Issue 30, 2018

Organophosphoric acid-derived CoP quantum dots@S,N-codoped graphite carbon as a trifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting and Zn–air batteries

Abstract

Developing highly efficient, low-cost, and multifunctional electro-catalysts to replace noble metals is of significant importance for energy storage and conversion systems. Herein, we demonstrate a facile strategy for the preparation of CoP quantum dots (QDs) embedded in S,N-codoped graphite carbon (CoP@SNC) by using organophosphoric acid as both phosphorus and carbon sources. Benefiting from the strong coupling and synergistic effect between CoP QDs and highly conductive S,N-codoped carbon, well-structured porosity and high specific surface area, the resulting CoP@SNC exhibits excellent activities for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), making it a trifunctional electro-catalyst for overall water splitting and rechargeable Zn–air batteries. When CoP@SNC is used for overall water splitting, a cell voltage as low as 1.64 V is required to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2; the obtained rechargeable Zn–air battery with CoP@SNC as the air cathode exhibits a high open-circuit voltage of 1.45 V, a very low discharge-charge voltage gap (0.83 V at 10 mA cm−2), and a long cycle life (up to 180 cycles). This work not only offers a new strategy for the synthesis of CoP@SNC but also presents its huge potential as a trifunctional electro-catalyst for clean energy systems.

Graphical abstract: Organophosphoric acid-derived CoP quantum dots@S,N-codoped graphite carbon as a trifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting and Zn–air batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Apr 2018
Accepted
24 Jun 2018
First published
28 Jun 2018

Nanoscale, 2018,10, 14613-14626

Organophosphoric acid-derived CoP quantum dots@S,N-codoped graphite carbon as a trifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting and Zn–air batteries

T. Meng, Y. Hao, L. Zheng and M. Cao, Nanoscale, 2018, 10, 14613 DOI: 10.1039/C8NR03299H

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