Three-dimensional tetsubo-like Co(OH)2 nanorods on a macroporous electrically conductive network as an efficient electroactive framework for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2629-2639 |
Journal / Publication | Journal of Materials Chemistry A |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 6 |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Link(s)
Abstract
Conducting the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline environment using a non-precious transition metal catalyst with high efficiency is challenging. Here, we report excellent HER activity achieved using three-dimensional (3D) tetsubo-like Co(OH)2 nanorods on a macroporous electrically conductive network (MECN) synthesized by a hydrothermal method. This unique framework comprises three levels of porous structures, including a bottom-ordered MECN substrate, an intermediate layer of vertically porous Co(OH)2 nanowires with a mean diameter of 100 nm and length of about 2 μm, and outmost Co(OH)2 nanosheets (≈20 nm). The 3D array structure with a large aspect ratio provides a large specific surface area and exposes more active sites to catalyze electrochemical reactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Compared with Co(OH)2 nanosheets on an MECN and foamy Co(OH)2 on an MECN structure, the synthesized architecture has excellent HER catalytic reactivity, including a low potential of −69.2 mV vs. RHE, a cathodic current density of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 61.9 mV dec−1, a high current density, and robust catalytic stability in 1 M KOH, and is promising in HER applications.
Citation Format(s)
Three-dimensional tetsubo-like Co(OH)2 nanorods on a macroporous electrically conductive network as an efficient electroactive framework for the hydrogen evolution reaction. / Tong, Xin; Wu, Dajun; Zhang, Chi; Lian, Kenan; Xiong, Dayuan; Xu, Shaohui; Zhu, Yiping; Qi, Ruijuan; Huang, Rong; Wang, Lianwei; Chu, Paul K.
In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2017, p. 2629-2639.Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review