Boosting oxygen evolution through phase and electronic modulation of highly dispersed tungsten carbide with nickel doping

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2021-03, Vol.585, p.258-266
• Main Authors: Lu, Shuanglong, Wu, Junjie, Hu, Hongyin, Pan, Xingxing, Hu, Zhenbin, Li, Huining, Zhu, Han, Duan, Fang, Du, Mingliang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ni-doped WCX; Oxygen evolution reaction; Phase composition; Synergistic effect; Water splitting
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.11.098

A method for phase and electronic modulation of highly dispersed WCX nanoparticles through Ni coupling has been developed, which shows enhanced electrocatalytic OER performance. [Display omitted] Exploring efficient, stable, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance for clean and renewable energy conversion technologies. In this work, in situ uniform Ni-doped tungsten carbide (Ni/WCX) nanoparticles (~3 nm) on carbon nanofibers (Ni/WCX-CNFs) that were to function as efficient OER catalysts were developed. Both the composition and electronic state of tungsten carbide (WCX: W-WC-W2C) could be regulated through varied Ni coupling. Owing to the synergistic effect between Ni and WCX, the reaction kinetics were facilitated, resulting in improved OER activity with low overpotentials of η10 = 350 mV (modified glassy carbon electrode) and η10 = 335 mV (self-supporting electrode). This work opens a facile territory for the development of cost-effective and highly promising OER electrocatalysts for use in real life applications.