Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
06:32
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
19.5K
Iron Phosphide Nanobundles for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Acidic and Basic Media
Shubham Sharma1, Nishan Khatri2, Sharad Puri3
1Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|October 29, 2024
Summary
Earth-abundant iron phosphide (FeP) nanobundles show promise as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline conditions, offering a cost-effective alternative to platinum.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Green Energy
Background:
- Transition metal phosphide (TMP) nanomaterials are explored as alternatives to platinum for electrocatalysis in green energy.
- Iron phosphide (FeP) nanostructures offer good electrical conductivity and stability, making them suitable for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis.
- Challenges exist in synthesizing pure-phase FeP nanostructures without agglomeration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple synthesis method for FeP nanostructures.
- To evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of FeP nanobundles for HER.
- To assess the stability of FeP nanobundles in acidic and alkaline media.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized FeP nanobundles using a reaction between β-FeOOH (iron oxyhydroxide) and trioctylphosphine (TOP).
- Evaluated HER electrocatalytic activity and stability in acidic (pH 0.45) and alkaline (pH 13.69) solutions.
- Measured overpotential and Tafel slopes to quantify catalytic performance.
Main Results:
- FeP nanobundles demonstrated good HER activity with overpotentials of 170 mV (acidic) and 338 mV (alkaline) at -10 mA cm⁻².
- Low Tafel slopes were observed in both acidic and alkaline environments.
- Nanobundles exhibited excellent stability, showing no deterioration for 15 h in acidic and 8 h in alkaline conditions at -50 mA cm⁻².
Conclusions:
- A facile and effective method for producing earth-abundant FeP electrocatalysts was demonstrated.
- FeP nanobundles are highly efficient and stable HER electrocatalysts suitable for various conditions.
- These findings contribute to the development of cost-effective catalysts for the future hydrogen economy.
Keywords:
earth-abundant catalystelectrochemicalhydrogen evolution reactioniron phosphidenanobundlessynthesiswater splittingMore Related Videos
![Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F55858.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Related Concept Videos
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
01:09Colloidal precipitates
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
01:06Coagulation
Colloidal solids are solid particles suspended in solution. They are usually negatively charged, attracting a compact primary layer of positively charged ions, which attract more counterions to form an electrical double layer. Electrostatic repulsion between the charged double layers prevents the particles from colliding, stabilizing the colloids. These solids are often undesirable because they can contain toxins that are difficult to remove. Coagulation is a technique that helps aggregate and...
01:24Microbial Corrosion
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a significant form of material degradation caused by the metabolic activities of microorganisms. This phenomenon poses substantial challenges across various industries, including oil and gas, maritime, and water treatment sectors.MIC occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi, colonize metal surfaces, forming biofilms that alter the local electrochemical environment. These biofilms can lead to the production of corrosive...