Highly Integrated Precursor-Derived FePO<sub>4</sub>/P-Doped C 2D Nanofilm-Encapsulated Ni<sub>2</sub>P@NC Matrix as an Electrocatalyst for Energy-Saving Hydrogen Production
Yanru Feng, Wenjuan Xu, Zejun Sun, Chengrui Li, Liutao Guo, Hong Li, Junli Xu, Hongbin Sun
Abstract
The construction of environmentally friendly and efficient electrocatalysts is of great significance for energy-saving hydrogen production. Here, we fabricate a phosphate and phosphide composite-based catalyst using the highly integrated precursor 1,1′-bis (diphenylphosphino) ferrocene (DPPF) as integral P, Fe, and C sources. The catalyst was prepared via the vapor deposition process of DPPF on the precursor of 900 °C pretreated ZIF-L/NF. Under the induction of P in DPPF, Ni on NF migrates through porous NC to form Ni2P, while DPPF transforms into FePO4/PdC. Therefore, the catalyst has the structure of the FePO4/P-doped C two-dimensional nanofilm-encapsulated Ni2P@NC matrix on NF substrates (named FPPC/Ni2P@NC/NF). Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the FePO4/PdC, Ni2P, and NC matrix, the FPPC/Ni2P@NC/NF catalyst needs only 1.317 V to reach 10 mA cm–2 in urea oxidation. Moreover, it also exhibits good OER activity, which requires an overpotential of 292 mV to reach 100 mA cm–2. This work provides a novel and environmentally friendly strategy for the simultaneous construction of metal phosphate and phosphide catalysts.