Modulating Electronic Structure of NiCoP Nanoarrays by B Doping for Boosting Overall Water Splitting

Abstract

B-doped NiCoP nanoarrays on nickel foam were successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal method and the following phosphorization. The optimized 10B-NiCoP/NF catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity and stability as compared with pristine NiCoP/NF catalysts for HER and OER in 1 M KOH, which was even better than 20% Pt–C and IrO2, respectively. Additionally, the 10B-NiCoP/NF catalyst exhibits superior stability for HER and OER performances at a large current density (100 mA cm–2). A complementary experimental and theoretical study suggests that B doping could modulate the electronic structure of NiCoP to enhance HER electrocatalytic activity. Moreover, the electrolyzer assembled with 10B-NiCoP as bifunctional electrodes requires only 1.51 V to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm–2.