Neuron-Inspired Interpenetrative Network Composed of Cobalt-Phosphorus-Derived Nanoparticles Embedded within Porous Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Hydrogen Production.
The ongoing search for cheap and efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts to replace currently used catalysts based on Pt or its alloys has been considered as an prevalent strategy to produce renewable and clean hydrogen energy. Herein, inspired by the neuron structure in biological systems, we demonstrate a novel fabrication strategy via a simple two-step method for the synthesis of a neuronlike interpenetrative nanocomposite network of Co-P embedded in porous carbon nanotubes (NIN-Co-P/PCNTs). It is found that the interpenetrative network provides a natural transport path to accelerate the hydrogen production process. The embedded-type structure improves the utilization ratio of Co-P and the hollow, tubelike, and porous structure of PCNTs further promote charge and reactant transport. These factors allow the as-prepared NIN-Co-P/PCNTs to achieve a onset potential low to 43 mV, a Tafel slope as small as 40 mV/decade, an excellent stability, and a high turnover frequency value of 3.2 s(-1) at η = 0.2 V in acidic conditions. These encouraging properties derived from the neuronlike interpenetrative network structure might offer new inspiration for the preparation of more nanocomposites for applications in other catalytic and optoelectronic field.
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Juanxia
J
Shen
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Zhi
Z
Yang
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Mengzhan
M
Ge
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Ping
P
Li
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Huagui
H
Nie
Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University , Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia.
Qiran
Q
Cai
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Cancan
C
Gu
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Keqin
K
Yang
Nanomaterials & Chemistry Key Laboratory, Wenzhou University , Wenzhou 325027, China.
Shaoming
S
Huang
carbon nanotubes; cobalt phosphorus; electrocatalysts; hydrogen evolution reaction; neuronlike