Hierarchically scaffolded CoP/CoP2 nanoparticles: controllable synthesis and their application as a well-matched bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

Abstract

Transition metal phosphide (TMP) nanostructures have stimulated increasing interest for use in water splitting owing to their abundant natural sources and high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Typically, the preparation of hierarchical TMPs involves the utilization of expensive or dangerous phosphorus sources, and, in particular, the understanding of topotactic transformations of the precursors to crystalline phases—which could be utilized to enhance electrocatalytic performance—remains very limited. We, herein, report a controllable preparation of CoP/CoP₂ nanoparticles well dispersed in flower-like Al₂O₃ scaffolds (f-CoP/CoP₂/Al₂O₃) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the HER and OER via the phosphorization of a flower-like CoAl layered double hydroxide precursor. Characterization by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) monitored the topotactic transformation underlying the controllable formation of CoP/CoP₂via tuning the phosphorization time. Electrocatalytic tests showed that an f-CoP/CoP₂/Al₂O₃ electrode exhibited a lower onset potential and higher electrocatalytic activity for the HER and OER in the same alkaline electrolyte than electrodes of flower-like and powdered CoP/Al₂O₃. The enhanced electrochemical performance was experimentally supported by measuring the electrochemically active surface area. The f-CoP/CoP₂/Al₂O₃ composite further generated a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at 1.65 V when used as a bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting. Our results demonstrate that the preparation route based on the LDH precursor may provide an alternative for investigating diverse TMPs as bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting.