Search for active, stable and cost-efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production via water splitting could make substantial impact to the energy technologies that do not rely on fossil fuels. Here we report the synthesis of rhodium phosphide electrocatalyst with low metal loading in the form of nanocubes (NCs) dispersed in high surface area carbon (Rh2P/C) by a facile solvo-thermal approach. The Rh2P/C NCs exhibit remarkable performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) compared to Rh/C and Pt/C catalysts. The atomic structure of the rhodium phosphide nanocubes was directly observed by annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM), which revealed phosphorous-rich outermost atomic layer. Combined experimental and computational studies suggest that surface phosphorous plays crucial role in determining the robust catalyst properties.
Revised: June 22, 2020 |
Published: April 19, 2017
Citation
Duan H., D. Li, Y. Tang, Y. He, S. Ji, R. Wang, and H. Lv, et al. 2017.High Performance Rh2P Electrocatalyst for Efficient Water Splitting.Journal of the American Chemical Society 139, no. 15:5494-5502.PNNL-SA-123543.doi:10.1021/jacs.7b01376