Electrodeposited Co-W-P ternary catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Reducing overpotential in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for efficient hydrogen production.
• Ternary metal phosphides are promising electrocatalysts for HER.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly active electrode for HER by electrodepositing a ternary Co-W-P coating on nickel foam.
• To investigate the relationship between the Co:W ratio and the intrinsic activity of Co-W-P catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Electrochemical deposition of Co-W-P ternary coatings on nickel foam.
• Measurement of double layer capacitance (Cdl) to assess electrochemical surface area.
• Evaluation of HER activity and intrinsic activity based on Cdl and catalytic performance.

Main Results:

• A volcano-shaped relationship was observed between the intrinsic activity of Co-W-P and the Co:W ratio.
• Tungsten (W) and phosphorus (P) play distinct roles in nanoparticle formation, contributing to high surface area and activity.
• Incorporation of W into Ni-P and Fe-P catalysts significantly enhanced their intrinsic activity.

Conclusions:

• The Co-W-P ternary coating is a highly active electrocatalyst for HER.
• Optimizing the Co:W ratio is key to maximizing catalytic performance.
• Tungsten incorporation is a viable strategy for improving the HER activity of other metal phosphide catalysts.