Co-based MOF-derived Co/CoN/Co2P ternary composite embedded in N- and P-doped carbon as bifunctional nanocatalysts for efficient overall water splitting

In this work, we developed ternary metallic cobalt-cobalt nitride-dicobalt phosphide composite embedded in nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon (Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC) as bifunctional catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The as-prepared Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC is achieved by simultaneous annealing and phosphating of a Co-N rich metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) precursor. Compare with the phosphorus-free Co/CoN embedded nitrogen-doped carbon electrocatalyst (Co/CoN-NC), the as-prepared Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC display superior HER and OER low overpotential of 99 mV and 272 mV at current density of 10 mA cm(-2). When Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC electrocatalyst is use as bifunctional catalysts in overall alkaline water splitting, it exhibit excellent behaviour with 10 mA cm(-2) current at overall cell potential of 1.60 V. The excellent performance of Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC electrocatalyst is attributed to the phosphating process that could further enhance synergistic effect, create stronger electronic interactions, and form efficient dual heteroatom doping to optimize the interfacial adhesion within the electrocatalyst. This present work will create more opportunities for the development of new, promising and more active sites electrocatalysts for alkaline electrolysis. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.