Stress-Induced Electronic Structure Modulation of Manganese-Incorporated Ni<sub>2</sub>P Leading to Enhanced Activity for Water Splitting
Shreya Sarkar, Lakshay Dheer, C. P. Vinod, Ranjit Thapa, Umesh V. Waghmare, Sebastian C. Peter
Abstract
The cornerstone of the emerging hydrogen economy is hydrogen production by water electrolysis with concomitant oxygen generation. Incorporating a third element in metal phosphides can tune the crystalline and electronic structure, hence improving the electrocatalytic properties. In this work, Mn-doped Ni2P with varying ratios of Mn and Ni has been explored as excellent catalysts for water splitting. A complete cell made of the best catalyst Ni1.5Mn0.5P electrodes showed low voltage of 1.75 V at a current density of 10 mA cm–2 due to enhanced electrical conductivity, induction of tensile stress, enhanced electrochemical surface area, and increased electric dipole upon Mn incorporation.