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Identifying Dense NiSe 2 /CoSe 2 Heterointerfaces Coupled with Surface High‐Valence Bimetallic Sites for Synergistically Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis
Author(s) -
Zheng Xuerong,
Han Xiaopeng,
Cao Yanhui,
Zhang Yan,
Nordlund Dennis,
Wang Jihui,
Chou Shulei,
Liu Hui,
Li Lanlan,
Zhong Cheng,
Deng Yida,
Hu Wenbin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.202000607
Subject(s) - overpotential , electrocatalyst , bimetallic strip , materials science , oxygen evolution , heterojunction , catalysis , density functional theory , electrolyte , chemical engineering , metal , valence (chemistry) , transition metal , chemical physics , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , electrode , chemistry , optoelectronics , computational chemistry , electrochemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
Abstract Constructing heterostructures with abundant interfaces is essential for integrating the multiple functionalities in single entities. Herein, the synthesis of NiSe 2 /CoSe 2 heterostructures with different interfacial densities via an innovative strategy of successive ion injection is reported. The resulting hybrid electrocatalyst with dense heterointerfaces exhibits superior electrocatalytic properties in an alkaline electrolyte, superior to other benchmarks and precious metal catalysts. Advanced synchrotron techniques, post structural characterizations, and density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that the introduction of atomic‐level interfaces can lower the oxidation overpotential of bimetallic Ni and Co active sites (whereas Ni 2+ can be more easily activated than Co 2+ ) and induce the electronic interaction between the core selenides and surface in situ generated oxides/hydroxides, which play a critical role in synergistically reducing energetic barriers and accelerating reaction kinetics for catalyzing the oxygen evolution. Hence, the heterointerface structure facilitates the catalytic performance enhancement via increasing the intrinsic reactivity of metallic atoms and enhancing the synergistic effect between the inner selenides and surface oxidation species. This work not only complements the understanding on the origins of the activity of electrocatalysts based on metal selenides, but also sheds light on further surface and interfacial engineering of advanced hybrid materials.