Heterostructured CoP/MoO2 as high efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction over all pH values.

Delicate design and rapid development of low-cost, highly active, and perdurable pH-universal heterogenveous hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts are demanding challenge in energy-conversion technologies. Herein, heterostructured CoP/MoO 2 electrocatalyst was synthesized by employing MoO 2 nanorods as framework for the growth of CoP nanoparticles. Owing to the fact that the effective interface of heterostructure can enhance electron transfer/mass diffusion and expose ample active sites, the CoP/MoO 2 reveals eminent HER activities with favorable long-term stability in all pH electrolytes, overpotentials of 69, 78, and 165 mV in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 , 1.0 M KOH, and 1.0 M PBS (phosphate-buffered solution) electrolytes were required for CoP/MoO 2 to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2. This work emphasizes that strategy of electronic structure engineering holds great promises in pH-universal HER electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion. The obtained heterostructured CoP/MoO 2 electrode exhibited distinguished electrocatalytic performance and extraordinary durability HER in acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions. [Display omitted] • Heterostructured CoP/MoO 2 was synthesized. • CoP/MoO 2 characterized excellent HER activity in all pH media. • Heterostructure can induce strong electron interactions. • The effective interface construction can endow a better intrinsic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]