Surface Engineering of Cr-Doped Cobalt Molybdate toward High-Performance Hydrogen Evolution

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing earth-abundant catalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production.
• Improving the stability and performance of non-noble metal catalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a Cr-doped CoMoO4 material with enhanced hydrogen evolution activity and stability.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of alkali etching and phosphating on catalyst properties.

Main Methods:

• Combined alkali etching and surface phosphating to modify Cr-doped CoMoO4.
• Evaluated catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution in 1.0 M KOH.
• Conducted stability tests and post-test characterization.

Main Results:

• The engineered catalyst achieved a low overpotential of 52.7 mV for 10 mA cm-2 current density.
• Maintained high current density for 24 hours, demonstrating excellent stability.
• Cr doping and surface engineering enhanced water adsorption/dissociation and H desorption.

Conclusions:

• The developed catalyst offers a promising, cost-effective alternative to noble metals for hydrogen production.
• Synergistic surface engineering is an effective strategy for optimizing non-precious metal catalysts.
• This work advances strategies for efficient and stable hydrogen evolution in water electrolysis.