Phase-controlled synthesis of polymorphic tungsten diphosphide with hybridization of monoclinic and orthorhombic phases as a novel electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution

The design and development of high-efficiency and non-noble-metal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts for future clean and renewable energy system has excited significant research interests over the recent years. In this communication, the polymorphic tungsten diphosphide (p-WP2) nano-particles with mixed monoclinic (alpha-) and orthorhombic (beta-) phases are synthesized by phase-controlled phosphidation route via vacuum capsulation and explored as a novel efficient electrocatalyst towards HER. The p-WP2 catalyst delivers superior performance with excellent stability under both acidic and alkaline conditions over its single phases of alpha-WP2 and beta-WP2. This finding demonstrates that a highly efficient hybrid electrocatalyst can be achieved via precise composition controlling and may open up exciting opportunities for their practical applications toward energy conversion. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.