Synergetic design of N-doped defect-enriched porous carbon matrix with Co-Co0.85Se loading for water splitting

Abstract

Developing robust and efficient non noble catalysts for water splitting is needed in the energy storage and application field. Constructing electronic structures to enhance the catalytic activity is always interesting and meaningful. Herein, electronic structures are simply synthesized through a rational design of Co-Co0.85Se heterostructures anchoring on the defective N-doped carbon matrix. Co anchoring on the defective N-doped carbon matrix is obtained from hydrothermal-carbonization process of pectin, melamine and cobalt chloride. Rational design of partial selenization can construct electronic structures to form Co-Co0.85Se heterostructures anchoring on the defective N-doped carbon matrix (Co-Co0.85Se-CN). The introduction of Co atoms induces the electron cloud redistribution of Co0.85Se, enhancing the electrocatalytic activity for water splitting. The defective N-doped carbon matrix provides plenty of catalytic sites and good conductivity for ions transition. Co-Co0.85Se-CN exhibits outstanding catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. The Operando Raman spectroscopy demonstrates that the dual active centers of Co and Se atom, facilitating the catalytic process for water splitting. DFT calculation results reveal that the constructed electronic structures from Co and Co0.85Se-CN is good for the H* adsorption for HER. This work provides a facile synthetic strategy to construct electronic structures for water splitting.