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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

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
Tailored Interfacial Coupling in CoPi/PANI@Nickel-Cobalt Phosphide Heterostructure Electrocatalysts for Enhanced
T T Karthika1, Sarika Sasidharan2, Anoop Ajaya Kumar Nair3
1Laboratory for Energetic and Energy Materials Research (LEEMR), Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kozhikode, India.
Abstract:
Interface engineering and electronic modulation are key strategies for developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production. Herein, we report a hybrid electrocatalyst prepared by integrating cobalt phosphate (CoPi) and polyaniline (PANI) onto a nickel cobalt phosphide (NiCoP) matrix to enhance the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Co--N coordination was confirmed by XPS analysis, while density of states analysis revealed an upward shift in the Co d-band center from -1.11 to -1.03 eV following hybridization. This electronic modulation facilitated rapid charge transfer and strengthened interfacial electronic coupling, thereby accelerating HER kinetics through the conductive PANI framework. As a result, the CoPi/PANI@nickel-cobalt phosphide heterostructure delivers a low overpotential of 115 mV at 10 mA cm‒ 2 and a Tafel slope of 123.85 mV dec‒ 1, following the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism for efficient H2O dissociation and (H*) adsorption. The catalyst also demonstrates long-term electrochemical durability in alkaline media. This study highlights a versatile and scalable approach for designing multifunctional heterostructure electrocatalysts through polymer--assisted interface modulation for sustainable hydrogen generation.
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