Co3(PO4)2 Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon as an Advanced Electrocatalyst for OER in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

The advanced oxygen evolution catalysts in alkaline solution play a growing role in alternative energy devices due to the need for clean and sustainable energy. In this paper, we report the cobalt phosphate nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon (Co3(PO4)2@N-C) using N,N′-piperazinebis (methylene-phosphonic acid) as both phosphate and carbon sources by two-step, hydrothermal method. The prepared Co3(PO4)2@N-C annealed at 600 °C exhibits advanced OER performance, with a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a lower overpotential of 290 mV, a Tafel slope of 82 mV dec−1 and superior durability in 1.0 M KOH solution. This kind of material with MOF as precursor has wide application prospect in electro-chemistry field, especially for OER.