Cobalt-Iron nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous carbon nanosheets: A one-pot synthesis of highly stable electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

Advancement of cost-effective, highly efficient and non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts is considered an attractive approach to overcome the energy defect and environmental pollution challenges. Herein, this study presents a simple one-pot approach to synthesize cobalt-Iron nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous carbon nanosheets (Co3Fe7@CNSs) by the pyrolysis method. The Co3Fe7@CNSs-750/4h electrocatalyst exhibits a notable performance, low overpotential of 181 and 301 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) and small Tafel slope of 124.8 and 38.59 mV dec(-1), large active surface area 18.20 and 21.18 mF cm(-2), and low charge transfer resistance 4.92 and 9.42 S2 for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, respectively, in 1.0 M KOH. Overall water splitting, with the set-up of two-electrode cells acquires the 10 mA cm(-2) of current density at 1.610 V in 1.0 M KOH. The combined structure of cobalt-iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanosheets; it could enhance the surface area and, provide more active sites that improve the overall catalytic activity. Not only this but also the synergistic effect due to different temperature treatments which significantly influenced the structural formation. However, the major involvement of this study is concerned with the production of economical non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts at an industrial scale for renewable energy to sustainability. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents a simple one-pot method to synthesize cobalt-iron nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous carbon nanosheets for high-performance electrocatalysis. The electrocatalyst exhibits notable performance, showcasing potential for the development of cost-effective non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts.