Hollow nanocubes composed of well-dispersed mixed metal-rich phosphides in N-doped carbon as highly efficient and durable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction at high current densities

Lei Zhang, Chun Chang, Chan Wei Hsu, Chih Wen Chang, Shih Yuan Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) received a great deal of research attention in the past few years because of its prime role in electrocatalytic water splitting, rechargeable metal-air batteries, and fuel cells. To be competitively applicable at large scales, the electrocatalytic water-splitting system needs electrocatalysts that are cost effective, highly efficient, and highly durable. A novel metal-organic-framework (MOF)-derived and SiO 2 -protected phosphorization approach was developed to prepare hollow nanocubes composed of well-dispersed Ni 5 P 4 /Fe 3 P in N-doped carbon as cost-effective OER electrocatalysts, which are highly efficient and durable at high current density operations. Because of their unique structural and compositional features, the N-doped C/Ni 5 P 4 /Fe 3 P hollow nanocubes not only achieved excellent electrocatalytic efficiencies (η 10 = 252 mV and η 250 = 385 mV), but also outstanding electrocatalytic activities with an ultralow Tafel slope of 24.0 mV dec -1 , the lowest ever reported to the best of our knowledge. More importantly, the N-doped C/Ni 5 P 4 /Fe 3 P hollow nanocubes exhibited eminent long-term stability, both electrocatalytically and mechanically, even at a high current density of 250 mA cm -2 . These outstanding performances make the developed N-doped C/Ni 5 P 4 /Fe 3 P hollow nanocubes a promising candidate to replace commercial noble metal oxide-based OER electrocatalysts for large-scale applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)19656-19663
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume5
Issue number37
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Materials Science

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