Surface Reconstruction Regulation of Co3N Through Heterostructure Engineering Toward Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2024-11, Vol.20 (48), p.e2406465-n/a
• Main Authors: Zeng, Ye, Zheng, Jiaxian, Zhang, Heru, Yao, Fen, Deng, Dingrong, Wu, Qihui, Makgwane, Peter R., Liang, Hanfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Co3N; Electrocatalysts; heterostructure engineering; Heterostructures; MnCo–CH; oxygen evolution reaction; Oxygen evolution reactions; Reconstruction; surface reconstruction
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202406465

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts generally experience structural and electronic modifications during electrocatalysis. This phenomenon, referred to as surface reconstruction, results in the formation of catalytically active species that act as real OER sites. Controlling surface reconstruction therefore is vital for enhancing the OER performance of electrocatalysts. In this study, a new approach is introduced of heterostructure engineering to facilitate the surface reconstruction of target catalysts. Using MnCo carbonate hydroxide (MnCo─CH)@Co3N as a demonstration, it is discovered that the surface reconstruction occurs more readily and rapidly on MnCo─CH@Co3N than on Co3N. More interestingly, during the reconstruction process, Mn species migrate to the surface, enabling the in situ formation of highly active Mn‐doped CoOOH. Consequently, the MnCo─CH@Co3N catalyst after reconstruction exhibits a low overpotential of 257 mV at 10 mA cm−2, compared to 379 mV of individual Co3N. This work offers fresh perspectives on understanding the enhanced OER performance of heterostructure electrocatalysts and the role of heterostructure in promoting surface reconstruction. The construction of MnCo─CH (carbonate hydroxide)@Co3N core–shell heterostructures facilitates the surface reconstruction of Co3N, resulting in a more facile and rapid reconstruction process is demonstrated. During the reconstruction process, the inner Mn species in MnCo─CH migrate to the surface, thereby generating highly active Mn‐doped CoOOH.