Construction of Co/Co2P/VN heterointerfaces enhances trifunctional hydrogen and oxygen catalytic reactions

Abstract

Designing efficient and serviceable electrocatalysts for overall water-splitting and metal–air batteries is crucial for advancing a green economy. Herein, we successfully synthesized a novel nanocomposite material composed of Co/Co₂P/VN heterointerfaces anchored on a nitrogen (N)-doped graphitic carbon matrix through a one-step pyrolysis process. The resultant Co/Co₂P/VN exhibits unparalleled electrocatalytic trifunctional properties due to abundant catalytically active sites at the heterointerfaces and the optimized electronic configuration, possessing a relatively low overpotential for the HER (η₁₀ = 111 mV) and OER (η₁₀ = 379 mV), and a high half-wave potential for the ORR (E_1/2 = 0.865 V), while maintaining the long-term stability for all three catalytic reactions in alkaline media. This work provides critical insights into the design of future efficient multicomponent materials for trifunctional electrocatalysis.