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Published on: October 12, 2019
An efficient ternary CoP2xSe2(1-x) nanowire array for overall water splitting
Kaili Liu1, Fengmei Wang2, Tofik Ahmed Shifa2
1CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China. hej@nanoctr.cn and University of Chinese Academy of Science, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China and Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, 100190, China.
Earth-abundant ternary cobalt phosphide selenide (CoP2xSe2(1-x)) nanowires efficiently catalyze both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). These bifunctional electrocatalysts enable overall water splitting in alkaline media.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media is crucial for sustainable energy technologies.
- Earth-abundant materials are preferred for large-scale applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel ternary cobalt phosphide selenide (CoP2xSe2(1-x)) nanowire arrays as bifunctional electrocatalysts.
- To evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of CoP2xSe2(1-x) for HER and OER, and for overall water splitting.
Main Methods:
- Ternary necklace-like CoP2xSe2(1-x) nanowire arrays were synthesized by simultaneously phosphorizing and selenizing Co(OH)2 nanowires.
- Electrochemical performance was tested in acidic and alkaline media for HER and OER, and for overall water splitting.
Main Results:
- The synthesized CoP2xSe2(1-x) nanowires exhibited excellent HER activity, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at overpotentials of 70 mV (acidic) and 98 mV (alkaline).
- For overall water splitting in 1.0 M KOH, a cell voltage of 1.65 V was required to reach a current density of 10 mA cm-2 using CoP2xSe2(1-x) as the cathode and Co(OH)2 as the anode.
Conclusions:
- The ternary CoP2xSe2(1-x) nanowire arrays demonstrate enhanced electronic structure and stability, making them highly active bifunctional electrocatalysts.
- These materials show great potential for efficient electrochemical water splitting in alkaline environments.
