Cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-rich carbonitride nanotubes for efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction at all pH values

Developing non-precious and high-efficiency Pt free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acid and base remained as a significant challenge. Herein, a novel Co nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-rich carbonitride (Co@Co-N-C) electrocatalyst was fabricated via a facile approach of melamine polymerization and Co2+ in situ deposition and reduction. The optimized Co@Co-N-C catalyst demonstrates outstanding catalytic activity for HER in a wide range pH values. In particular, it shows ultralow onset potentials of 62 mV and 46 mV and overpotentials of 178 mV and 157 mV to achieve current density of 10 mA cm(-2) in acidic and alkaline media, respectively. Moreover, it presents outstanding electrochemical durability without degradation at all pH values. Such highly efficient electrocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to the maximum of synergistic effects between uniform dispersed Co nanoparticles and N-rich carbonitride nanotubes. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

By synthesizing a novel Co@Co-N-C electrocatalyst, the research team achieved efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in a wide range of pH values, demonstrating outstanding catalytic activity and stability.