Tuning Morphology and Electronic Structure of Cobalt Metaphosphate Via Vanadium‐Doping for Efficient Water and Urea Splitting
Xiwen Chang, Shuang Li, Le Wang, Lu Dai, Ya‐Pan Wu, Xue‐Qian Wu, Yuhui Tian, Shanqing Zhang, Dong‐Sheng Li
Abstract
Abstract Designing efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts for water and urea splitting to produce green hydrogen presents a significant yet worthwhile challenge. Herein, the morphology and electronic structure of cobalt metaphosphate (Co 2 P 4 O 12 ) by vanadium (V) doping, resulting in improved electrocatalytic activity and stability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) are simultaneously regulated. Theory calculations show that V‐doped Co 2 P 4 O 12 (V‐Co 2 P 4 O 12 ) can boost the kinetics of catalytic reactions by optimizing the d ‐band center of Co atoms and the binding strength of intermediates, as well as enhancing the density of states. Moreover, the doping of V into Co 2 P 4 O 12 crystalline structure benefits the formation of a thicker amorphous layer during the catalytic process, which could enhance its alkaline corrosion resistance and stability. Additionally, the multilevel nanostructures of V‐Co 2 P 4 O 12 provide rich active sites for catalytic reactions. As a result, a two‐electrode electrolyzer assembled by V‐doped Co 2 P 4 O 12 delivers low voltages for overall water and urea splitting. The superior performance suggests that the proposed V‐doping strategy is a promising way to regulate electrocatalytic activity for catering to green electrocatalytic applications.