Issue 13, 2025

The investigation of Co6−xFexW6N (x = 0, 3, 6) as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysers are considered the most promising devices for hydrogen production when operated in tandem with renewable energy sources. However, their efficiency depends on catalysts used on the anode and cathode, but the acidic conditions at the membrane restrict the catalysts to noble metals. Hence, the search for non-noble metal catalysts that are active and stable under acidic conditions is important. In this work we demonstrate that phase pure Co6W6N (prepared by the nitridation of an oxide precursor) remains stable in 0.5 M H2SO4, suggesting that it is a suitable electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media. Moreover, it shows a comparatively low overpotential of −150 ± 8 mV at a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, two isostructural catalysts with the compositions Co3Fe3W6N and Fe6W6N showed overpotentials of −225 ± 8 mV and −414 ± 18 mV at 10 mA cm−2, respectively, suggesting that Co-sites are responsible for the catalytic performance. This was further confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) which showed that W-oxidation states in Co6W6N and Fe6W6N are practically identical and hence, cannot be the cause for the overpotential's increase upon the substitution. In this context, Co6W6N appears an optimal target for future tests in full-scale electrolysis systems.

Graphical abstract: The investigation of Co6−xFexW6N (x = 0, 3, 6) as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 Oct 2024
Accepted
27 Feb 2025
First published
28 Feb 2025

Dalton Trans., 2025,54, 5577-5583

The investigation of Co6−xFexW6N (x = 0, 3, 6) as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Y. Sun, Z. Yang, W. Li and A. Y. Ganin, Dalton Trans., 2025, 54, 5577 DOI: 10.1039/D4DT03005B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements