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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
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Cobalt Molybdenum Nitride-Based Nanosheets for Seawater Splitting
Xiang Wang1,2, Xu Han3, Ruifeng Du1,2
1Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Sant Adrià de Besòs, 08930 Barcelona, Spain.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 8, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a novel cobalt molybdenum nitride catalyst for efficient water electrolysis using seawater. The cost-effective bifunctional catalyst demonstrates excellent performance and stability for hydrogen and oxygen production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing cost-effective bifunctional catalysts is essential for water electrolysis.
- Seawater electrolysis presents unique challenges due to corrosive conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, cost-effective bifunctional catalyst for seawater electrolysis.
- To investigate the performance and stability of cobalt molybdenum nitride for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions.
Main Methods:
- A metal-organic framework sacrificial template method was used to synthesize cobalt molybdenum nitride supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets.
- Electrochemical testing was performed in a seawater electrolyte for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Density functional theory was employed to rationalize catalyst performance.
- Overall seawater splitting was evaluated using a KOH-treated seawater electrolyte.
Main Results:
- The synthesized catalyst exhibited a porous structure, enhancing reaction kinetics, stability, and corrosion resistance in seawater.
- Excellent performance was achieved for both oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in seawater.
- The bifunctional catalyst enabled overall seawater splitting at a low overpotential of 1.70 V for a current density of 100 mA cm-2.
- Continuous operation for over 62 hours was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Transition-metal nitrides show significant potential for efficient and cost-effective seawater splitting.
- The developed catalyst represents a promising advancement for implementing water electrolysis technology using seawater.
