Plasma-Engraved Co2N Nanostructures toward High-Performance Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c01698
• Publication Date: 2021-04-28T01:41:58Z
• Authors: Jiageng Zheng; Aoni Xu; Angjian Wu; Xiaodong Li
• Keywords: Engraving; Overpotential; Plasma Etching

Hydrogen generated by electrochemical water splitting is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Herein, we developed hollow-like Co2N nanoarrays that serve as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with surface engineering argon plasma. The plasma-engraved (Ar-Co2N/CC) represent a dramatic catalytic performance HER overpotential of 34 mV at current density 10 mA cm–2 in alkaline electrolyte, well outstanding durability 240 h. Characterization experiments and functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest enhanced activity due rational coordination environment Co, which can be tuned Ar plasma engraving. Based on our research, one new view conducting exceptional catalyst modification via engraving might established.