V-Doped CoP Nanosheet Arrays as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Both Acidic and Alkaline Solutions
Wei Hua, Huanhuan Sun, Lingbo Ren, Nan Ding
Abstract
It is of significant necessity to explore inexpensive and high-active electrocatalysts toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and basic media. In this work, V-doped CoP nanosheet arrays supported on the carbon cloth (V-CoP/CC) are fabricated though a facile water-bath/phosphorization method. The nanoarray structure on the three-dimensional self-supporting electrode can provide a large electrochemical active surface area with more exposed active sites to accelerate the reaction kinetics. Furthermore, V doping is able to tune the electronic properties and thus enhance the intrinsic catalytic activity of CoP. Consequently, the V-CoP/CC electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activities toward HER in both 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1 M KOH solutions with small overpotentials of 88 and 98 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, respectively. The present work will offer a feasible way to tailor the catalytic activity by hetero-atoms doping toward HER.