Ce-doped CoP nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanotubes as an efficient and durable catalyst for hydrogen evolution
Tianyun Chen1, Rongrong Zhang1, Bo Ye1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China.
Nanotechnology
|November 27, 2019
Summary
A novel cerium-doped cobalt phosphide nanoparticles (NPs) catalyst embedded in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) demonstrates efficient and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in acidic media.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean energy technologies.
- Cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanoparticles (NPs) show promise for HER, but their stability and efficiency can be limited.
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer excellent conductivity and structural support for catalytic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel cerium-doped CoP NPs embedded in CNTs catalyst.
- To evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of the developed catalyst for HER in an acidic electrolyte.
- To investigate the durability and stability of the catalyst under operational conditions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of cerium-doped ZIF-67 followed by carbonization to form Ce-doped Co-CNTs.
- Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Ce-doped Co-CNTs with NaH2PO2 to obtain Ce-doped CoP NPs/CNTs.
- Characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Electrochemical measurements including onset potential, Tafel slope, electron transfer resistance (Rct), double-layer capacitance (Cdl), and long-term durability tests.
Main Results:
- The Ce-doped CoP NPs were uniformly embedded within the CNTs, maintaining the original ZIF-67 morphology.
- The catalyst exhibited excellent HER performance in 0.5 M H2SO4, with an onset potential of 49 mV and a Tafel slope of 78 mV dec⁻¹.
- Achieved a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of 146 mV, with low electron transfer resistance (19.2 Ω).
- Demonstrated remarkable durability, retaining 90% of its initial activity after chronoamperometry and showing no significant decay over 2000 cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed cerium-doped CoP NPs/CNTs catalyst is highly efficient and durable for HER in acidic media.
- The unique nanostructure and synergistic effects of Ce doping, CoP, and CNTs contribute to the enhanced catalytic activity.
- This material holds significant potential for applications in hydrogen production and other electrochemical energy conversion systems.
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