Co3Mo3N nanosheets arrays on nickel foam as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall urea electrolysis

Abstract

Replacing dynamics-restricted oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with smart urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is very important for reducing the power consumption for hydrogen production. Here, the Co 3 Mo 3 N-400/NF is prepared using a facial way, which exhibits remarkable catalytic performances for UOR, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and overall urea electrolysis (OUE) because of the more exposed active sites and high electrical conductivity. At 100 mA/cm 2 , the Co 3 Mo 3 N-400/NF shows a small potential of 1.356 V vs. RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode) for UOR, which is much lower than that for OER. Furthermore, for HER, to reach to 100 mA/cm 2 , a low overpotential of 299 mV is required, and the urea has negligible influence on the HER process. For OUE, the Co 3 Mo 3 N-400/NF||Co 3 Mo 3 N-400/NF shows a small cell potential of 1.481 V at 100 mA/cm 2 along with a good durability. Our work provides more choice for future OUE to generate hydrogen. • The Co 3 Mo 3 N-400/NF was successfully prepared by a simple process. • Co 3 Mo 3 N-400/NF shows a low potential of 1.356 V RHE for UOR at 100 mA/cm 2 . • A low cell voltage of 1.481 V at 100 mA/cm 2 for overall urea electrolysis.