Synthesis of bristlegrass-like Co-doped Ni2P composites on Ni foam for overall seawater splitting

Seawater is the most abundant resource on earth, so developing cost-effective, highly durable corrosion resistance and efficient electrocatalysts are crucial to enhance seawater splitting. Herein, we prepared 3D bristlegrass-like Co-doped Ni2P (Co-Ni2P) composites supported on Ni foam (NF) through a facile solvothermal method combined and a subsequent phosphatization treatment. Benefiting from the unique structure, Co-Ni2P shows excellent electrocatalytic activity as an electrode material for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, low overpotential of 116 mV at 50 mA cm(-2)) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER, low overpotential of 266 mV at 50 mA cm(-2)). Moreover, the as-prepared Co-Ni2P composites exhibit excellent stability and corrosion resistance in an alkaline medium. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to evaluate the H* adsorption of Co-Ni2P, and the results proved the high catalytic activity for the HER. This study pro-vides new materials with a unique morphology for overall water splitting. (c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Seawater, as the most abundant resource on earth, requires the development of efficient electrocatalysts for seawater splitting. This study presents the synthesis of a unique morphological Co-Ni2P composite with excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability.