A hierarchically porous nickel–copper phosphide nano-foam for efficient electrochemical splitting of water

摘要: Electrochemical splitting of water to produce oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) through a cathodic evolution reaction (HER) an anodic (OER) is promising green approach for sustainable energy supply. Here we demonstrated porous nickel-copper phosphide (NiCuP) nano-foam as bifunctional electrocatalyst highly efficient total splitting. Prepared from bubble-templated electrodeposition method subsequent low-temperature phosphidization, NiCuP has hierarchical pore structure with large electrochemical active surface area. To reach high current density 50 mA cm−2, it requires merely 146 300 mV small Tafel slopes 47 49 dec−1 HER OER, respectively. The test using both the anode cathode showed nearly 100% Faradic efficiency surpassed performances electrode pairs commercial Pt/C IrO2 catalysts under our conditions. activity can be attributed (1) conductive NiCu substrates, (2) electrochemically area together combination pores different sizes, (3) formation Ni/Cu oxides/hydroxides while keeping portion more phosphides in nano-foam. We expect catalyst enable manufacturing affordable systems.