1. Ternary FexCo1–xP Nanowire Array as a Robust Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst with Pt-like Activity: Experimental and Theoretical Insight
- Author
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Rong Zhang, Wenbo Lu, Abdullah M. Asiri, Jin Wang, Chun Tang, Liang Chen, Xiue Jiang, Xuping Sun, and Linfeng Gan
- Subjects
Mechanical Engineering ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Bioengineering ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,General Chemistry ,Overpotential ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Electrochemistry ,Electrocatalyst ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Catalysis ,chemistry ,General Materials Science ,Hydrogen evolution ,Density functional theory ,0210 nano-technology ,Ternary operation ,Carbon - Abstract
Replacement of precious Pt with earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) holds great promise for clean energy devices, but the development of low-cost and durable HER catalysts with Pt-like activity is still a huge challenge. In this communication, we report on the development of self-standing ternary FexCo1–xP nanowire array on carbon cloth (FexCo1–xP/CC) as a Pt-free HER catalyst with activities being strongly related to Fe substitution ratio. Electrochemical tests show that Fe0.5Co0.5P/CC not only possesses Pt-like activity with the need of overpotential of only 37 mV to drive 10 mA cm–2, outperforming all non-noble-metal HER catalysts reported to date, but demonstrates superior long-term durability in 0.5 M H2SO4. Density functional theory calculations further reveal that Fe substitution of Co in CoP leads to more optimal free energy of hydrogen adsorption to the catalyst surface. This study offers us a promising flexible monolithic catalyst for practical applications.
- Published
- 2016