Ternary FexCo1–xP Nanowire Array as a Robust Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst with Pt-like Activity: Experimental and Theoretical Insight

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b03332
• Publication Date: 2016-09-27T16:38:50Z
• Authors: Chun Tang; Linfeng Gan; Rong Zhang; Wenbo Lu; Xiue Jiang; Abdullah M. Asiri; Xuping Sun; Jin Wang; Liang Chen
• Keywords: Overpotential; Electrochemical energy conversion; Noble metal

Replacement of precious Pt with earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) holds great promise clean energy devices, but development low-cost and durable HER catalysts Pt-like activity is still a huge challenge. In this communication, we report on self-standing ternary FexCo1–xP nanowire array carbon cloth (FexCo1–xP/CC) as Pt-free catalyst activities being strongly related to Fe substitution ratio. Electrochemical tests show that Fe0.5Co0.5P/CC not only possesses need overpotential 37 mV drive 10 mA cm–2, outperforming all non-noble-metal reported date, demonstrates superior long-term durability in 0.5 M H2SO4. Density functional theory calculations further reveal Co CoP leads more optimal free adsorption surface. This study offers us promising flexible monolithic practical applications.