Synergistic promotion of HER and OER by alloying ternary Zn-Co-Ni nanoparticles in N-doped carbon interfacial structures

Catalytic water splitting potentially reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and has received intense research attention. Synergy effects in multi-element transition metal-based water splitting catalysts have evoked special interests. Studies on catalysts in interfacial structures are especially meaningful due to their pertinence in applications. In this study, we report the synergy effects in promoting catalytic power in the ternary transition metal Zn, Co, Ni alloy nanoparticles that embeds in the carbonized Ppy/CNT multilayered matrix. By comparison with a series of binary or single metal counterparts, the mechanism under the synergy effects are elucidated. Experimental and DFT calculation results indicate that the ternary transition metal catalysts in the N-doped carbon matrix present special electronic structure, which benefits the reversible transition-state adsorption in HER and OER and render the catalysts high conductivity in room temperature. We expect our findings inspire further development of efficient transition metal HER and OER catalysts.