CoP nanoparticles anchored on N,P-dual-doped graphene-like carbon as a catalyst for water splitting in non-acidic media

Abstract

The design of earth-abundant, active and stable water splitting bifunctional catalysts that operate in the same media is crucial for large-scale water electrolysis. CoP nanoparticles anchored on N,P-dual-doped mesoporous graphene-like carbon (CoP@NPMG) acts as an outstanding bifunctional electrocatalyst for both the hydrogen evolution reaction and the oxygen evolution reaction over a wide pH range. The synthesis method of CoP@NPMG is template-free and simple, and all the precursors are easily obtained; both these factors contribute to the feasibility of practical large-scale fabrication. When employed as a bifunctional electrode, CoP@NPMG enables high-performance water splitting with a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at cell voltages of only 1.58 V and 1.74 V in 1 M KOH and 1 M PBS, respectively. In addition, CoP@NPMG displays excellent catalytic stability at all pH values.