Molten-salt mediated homogenous Mo-doped CoP for enhanced anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

Abstract

Membrane electrode water electrolyzer is the most promising industrial large-scale hydrogen production energy equipment, which is used to promote the conversion of old and new energy and the realization of low carbon goals. However, there is still a lack of efficient and robust alkaline HER electrocatalysts for tightly assembled, bubble-dense and high-current density anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers. Herein, we developed an effective salt-melting homogenization synthesis strategy for the preparation of cobalt foam (CF)-supported uniform Mo-doped chrysanthemum-like CoP electrodes (M-Mo-CoP/CF). Alkaline AEM electrolytic cells driven by M-Mo-CoP/CF have ideal water splitting properties (1000 mA/cm−2 at 1.80 Vcell) and high current tolerance. In addition, detailed experimental and theoretical calculation results show that the M-Mo-CoP/CF prepared by this strategy has excellent metal-like conductivity and optimized H* adsorption free energy. In conclusion, this work strongly confirms the application potential of salt-melting assisted homogeneous doping strategy in the preparation of high-performance hydrogen evolution catalytic materials.