High catalytic activity for water oxidation based on nanostructured nickel phosphide precursors

For the first time, noble-metal-free nickel phosphide (Ni2P) was used as an excellent catalyst precursor for water oxidation catalysis. The lowest onset potential was observed at ∼1.54 V (vs. RHE) and a Tafel slope of 60 mV dec(-1) was obtained in alkaline solution (pH = 13.6).