Facile Synthesis of Co2P Nanoparticles Embedded in N- and P-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Composite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Developing highly efficient and affordable nonprecious metal catalysts is extremely significant to facilitate the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we constructed an N- and P-doped material decorated with embedded Co2P nanoparticles (termed as Co2P@NPC) by a facile and environmentally friendly method. The composite has abundant mesopores, rich heteroatom-doped species (such as pyridinic N, graphitic N, and P–C), and coupled Co2P nanoparticles. The desirable nanoarchitecture and composition endow the composite with promising catalytic activity for the OER. Interestingly, the electrocatalytic performance can be effectively boosted by surface self-reconstruction from Co2P into Co (oxy)hydroxide active species during the alkaline OER test. Consequently, the as-prepared Co2P@NPC after the electrochemical activation can afford a low delivery operation potential of 1.587 V at 10 mA cm–2, surpassing that of the commercial RuO2. Furthermore, the Co2P@NPC||Pt/C-based overall water splitting cell can achieve a voltage of as low as 1.580 V at 10 mA cm–2 and also shows exceptional stability.