Iron phosphide nanoparticles anchored on 3D nitrogen-doped graphene as an efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media

• Published in: Materials today communications 2024-12, Vol.41, p.110758, Article 110758
• Main Authors: Mohammadi, Shabnam, Gholivand, Mohammad Bagher, Mirzaei, Mahin, Amiri, Masoud
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrogen evolution reaction; Iron phosphide; Three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.110758

Electrocatalysts play a crucial role in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), facilitating a clean and sustainable generation of hydrogen energy. To promote the HER process, it is imperative to employ highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective electrocatalysts. This research focuses on the design of iron phosphide nanoparticles anchored onto a porous three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene (FeP@3DNG). The porous framework of 3DNG serves a multifaceted purpose: it prevents the aggregation of FeP nanoparticles during phosphidation, safeguards the FeP electrocatalyst from oxidation during the HER, and simultaneously enhances electrical conductivity and stability. Notably, the FeP@3DNG nanocomposite demonstrated the efficient activity and highest HER activity with an overpotential of 76 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 40.2 mV dec−1 as well as good long-term durability for 20 h in 1.0 M KOH solution. The high performance of the FeP@3DNG nanocomposite can be primarily corresponded to the synergistic effects of the highly active of FeP nanoparticles and advantages of porous three-dimensional graphene with excellent electrocatalytic activity, high specific surface area, and chemical stability, thus, resulting in the improvement the overall electrocatalytic activity. [Display omitted]