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High Activity Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis by Uniquely Designed Amorphous/Metal Interface of Core–shell Phosphosulfide/N‐Doped CNTs
Author(s) -
Li Dong Jun,
Kang Joonhee,
Lee Ho Jin,
Choi Dong Sung,
Koo Sung Hwan,
Han Byungchan,
Kim Sang Ouk
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201702806
Subject(s) - materials science , phosphide , catalysis , nanoshell , amorphous solid , electrocatalyst , carbon nanotube , transition metal , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , metal , nitride , carbide , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry , nanoparticle , electrode , layer (electronics) , engineering , electrochemistry
A cost effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst that does not use precious metallic elements is a crucial demand for environment‐benign energy production. The family of earth‐abundant transition metal compounds of nitrides, carbides, chalcogenides, and phosphides is one of the promising candidates for such a purpose, particularly in acidic conditions. However, its catalytic performance is still needed to be enhanced through novel material designs and crystalline engineering. Herein, a chemically and electronically coupled transition metal phosphosulfide/N‐doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) hybrid electrocatalyst is fabricated via a two‐step synthesis. The uniquely designed synthesis leads to the material morphology featuring a core–shell structure, in which the crystalline metal phosphide core is surrounded by an amorphous phosphosulfide nanoshell. Notably, due to the favorable modification of chemical composition and surface properties, core–shell CoP@PS/NCNT exhibits the noticeable HER activity of approximately −80 mV @ −10 mA cm −2 with excellent durability, which is one of the highest active nonnoble metal electrocatalysts ever reported thus far.