Cobalt-based Co3Mo3N/Co4N/Co Metallic Heterostructure as a Highly Active Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Overall Water Splitting

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Alkaline water electrolysis holds promise for large-scale hydrogen production, yet it encounters challenges like high voltageand limited stability at higher current densities, primarily due to inefficient electron transport kinetics. Herein, a novel cobalt-based metallic heterostructure (Co3Mo3N/Co4N/Co) is designed for excellent water electrolysis. In operando Raman experiments reveal that the formationof the Co3Mo3N/Co4N heterointerface boosts the free water adsorption and dissociation, increasing the available protons for subsequent hydrogen production. Furthermore, the altered electronic structureof the Co3Mo3N/Co4N heterointerface optimizes ΔGH of the nitrogen atoms at the interface.This synergistic effect between interfacial nitrogen atoms and metal phase cobalt creates highly efficient active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), thereby enhancingthe overall HER performance. Additionally, the heterostructure exhibits a rapid OH- adsorption rate, coupled with great adsorption strength, leading to improved oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Crucially, the metallic heterojunction accelerates electron transport, expediting the afore-mentioned reaction steps and enhancing water splitting efficiency. The Co3Mo3N/Co4N/Co electrocatalyst in the water electrolyzer delivers excellent performance, with a low 1.58 V cell voltage at 10 mA cm-2, and maintains100% retention over 100 hours at 200 mA cm-2, surpassing the Pt/C||RuO2    electrolyzer.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202319239
Number of pages10
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume63 (2024)
Issue number14
Publication statusPublished - 5 Feb 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85185471285

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • metallic heterostructure, alkaline water splitting, interfacial water evolution, optimized active heterointerface