Mn-doped NiP: Facile synthesis and enhanced electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution

Transition metal phosphides are considered to be inexpensive and effective catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, the porous nickel powder was used as the matrix, and the second metal manganese was doped into porous nickel powder and red phosphorus powder. After being treated high-temperature phosphating, a kind of multiphase nickel phosphide (Ni3P, Ni2P, Ni12P5) catalyst material (Mn-NiP) with bimetallic composition was constructed. The activity of the catalyst doped with an appropriate amount of Mn increased owing to the regulation effect of doped Mn on the electronic structure of Ni and the mutual electronic interaction between Ni and P. The hydrogen evolution activity of 3Mn-NiP in the full pH range was mainly explored. The results showed that the overpotentials required for generating 10 mA∙cm−2 current density of 3Mn-NiP in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1.0 M KOH were 164 and 77 mV, respectively. It showed better HER activity in an alkaline environment.Graphical abstract