Journal
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
Volume 342, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136076
Keywords
Bamboo-like nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes; Co nanoparticles; DFT calculation; Electronic coupling; Hydrogen evolution reaction
Categories
Funding
- Chinese National Natural Science Foundation [11975205]
- Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation [2017A030313092]
- Guangdong Innovative and Entepreneurial Research Team Program [2014ZT05N200]
- Fundamental research funds for the central university of South China University of Technology [2018ZD25]
- Science Foundation of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University [18062245-Y]
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The development of highly-efficient and noble-metal-free catalysts with low cost and high durability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of great importance to many energy-related technologies. This work reports that nitrogen-doped carbon coated Co nanoparticles encapsulated in bamboo-like nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (Co@NC/B-NCNTs), synthesized by a simple calcination of Co(NO3)(2), melamine and P123, is a promising catalyst for HER in both acidic and alkaline solutions. In acidic solution, the Co@NC/B-NCNTs has the HER onset potential of similar to 0 V and only needs an overpotential of 7 mV to drive the current density of 10 mA cm(-2). Its HER catalytic activity is very close to that of Pt/C. In alkaline solution, its onset potential and overpotential to drive 10 mA cm(-2) are 100 and 182 mV, respectively. Both the values are lower than those of many other catalysts reported. The DFT calculations show electronic coupling between Co nanoparticles and NC layer plays an important role in high catalytic activity of Co@NC/B-NCNTs. The Co nanoparticles can change the charge density distribution of the outer NC layer, affecting its properties for hydrogen adsorption and desorption. Additionally, the pyridinic N in the outer NC layer is calculated to be a promising active site for HER. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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