CoFeP nanocube-arrays based on Prussian blue analogues for accelerated oxygen evolution electrocatalysis

Exploring the replacement of novel metal-based electrocatalysts based on non-precious metal is still a challenge. Transition metal-based phosphides as a kind of highly efficient oxygen reaction (OER) catalyst is considered as a judicious select for renewable energy conversion and storage. In this work, CoFeP nanocube-arrays (NCAs) composite is successfully fabricated on a 3D porous conductive substrate (nickel foam), namely as CoFeP/NF. The CoFeP/NF material exhibits exciting electrocatalytic performance with extremely low overpotentials of 253 and 290 mV at the current density of 10 and 50 mA cm(-2) in 1 M KOH, respectively. Especially, remarkable durability for 100 h can be observed, which is a key parameter for practical application. CoFeP/NF parallel to Pt/C/NF as a two-electrode system is applied into overall water splitting. A series of outstanding electrocatalytic results are obtained, including a very low voltage of 1.54 V for achieving the current density of 10 mA cm(-2) with remarkable stability in 1 M KOH. These performances have far superior to commercial noble metal of IrO2/NF parallel to Pt/C/NF. Therefore, this work not only provides some practical electrocatalyst materials, more importantly, it opens a feasible and universal strategy for constructing well-defined nanocube-array electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion.

Automated summary

In this study, CoFeP nanocube-arrays (NCAs) composite was successfully fabricated and grown on a 3D porous conductive substrate. The material exhibited exciting electrocatalytic performance with extremely low overpotentials and remarkable durability. Outstanding electrocatalytic results were also obtained in overall water splitting experiments.