NiFeP nanosheet arrays supported on nickel nitrogen codoped carbon nanofiber as an efficient bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting

Abstract

Transition metal phosphides have emerged as effective electrocatalysts for water splitting. In this study, novel NiFeP nanosheet arrays supported on nickel nitrogen codoped carbon nanofiber (NiFeP@Ni-NCNF) was synthesized through a combination of electrospun, template-directed growth, and phosphorization strategy. The utilization of Ni-NCNF as a substrate for constructing the nanoarrays structure with superhydrophilic and superaerophobic properties significantly enhances the electrochemical active specific surface area of the electrocatalytic material. The synergistic effect of Ni2P and Fe2P and the excellent conductivity of the Ni-NCNF substrate promote NiFeP@Ni-NCNF to exhibit excellent HER/OER electrocatalytic properties. The NiFeP@Ni-NCNF exhibits low overpotentials of 131 mV and 204 mV for HER and OER at 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Additionally, using NiFeP@Ni-NCNF as the anode and cathode of the electrolytic water device displays a voltage of 1.61 V at 10 mA cm−2, and the Faraday efficiency of the two electrodes is near 100 %. This research presents an extensible and cost-effective strategy for synthesizing phosphide-based catalysts with unique nanostructures and desirable water splitting catalytic properties.