Cobalt Nanoparticles Encapsulated in the Biomass-Derived Carbon: An Efficient and Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Yajuan Zhou, Yuanzheng Luo, Qingyang Li, J. Nellie Liang, Fumiao Liu, Yuqing Cai, Langyu Lin, Qian Wu, Kaiyue Li
Abstract
Water splitting represents a promising method for hydrogen production. However, the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts that are capable of fostering the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiently remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report an efficient and stable catalyst (Co 0.15 @ARC) by encapsulating cobalt nanoparticles in the biomass-derived carbon. Electrodes fabricated from Co 0.15 @ARC exhibit both excellent OER and HER performances in 1 M KOH solution: 320 mV for OER and 172 mV for HER to reach the current density of 10 mA cm –2 . Moreover, when employed for electrochemical overall water splitting, a current density of 10 mA cm –2 is achieved at just 1.64 V, underscoring the significant potential of Co 0.15 @ARC for efficient overall water splitting applications. The inherited porous structures after carbonization, uniformly dispersed Co nanoparticles, and the excellent electrochemical active surface area of Co 0.15 @ARC collectively enhance reaction kinetics, enabling efficient performances in OER and HER. This work may provide a practical strategy for exploring efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.