Cobalt phosphide nanoparticles supported within network of N-doped carbon nanotubes as a multifunctional and scalable electrocatalyst for water splitting

In order to realize industrial production of hydrogen through water splitting, it is essential to develop a cost-efficient and scalable approach to synthesize nonprecious electrocatalysts with sufficiently high activity and stability to replace commercial noble-metal-based electrocatalysts. Herein we synthesize cobalt phosphide nanoparticles dispersed within nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube network (CP@NCNT) via scalable spray drying and thermal treatments. As a multifunctional electrocatalyst, the CP@NCNT hybrid delivers outstanding activity for HER (in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes), OER and overall water splitting. Remarkably, it shows an ultra-low overpotental of 94 mV to obtain 10 mA cm(-2) in HER. It also demonstrates outstanding activity in overall water splitting, requiring only 1.619 V to deliver 10 mA cm(-2) with more than 72 h' long-term stability. The combination of notable performance, multi-functionality and highly scalable spray-drying synthesis method enables this material as a novel and cost-efficient transition metal-based electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. (c) 2020 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A cost-efficient and scalable approach was developed for industrial production of hydrogen through water splitting by synthesizing nonprecious electrocatalysts with high activity and stability. The cobalt phosphide nanoparticles dispersed within nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube network exhibited outstanding performance in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes, making it a promising candidate for overall water splitting.