A universal CoO/CoSe2 heterostructure electrocatalyst towards hydrogen evolution reaction via in-situ partial surface-oxidation-selenization method

In-situ engineered heterogeneous transition metal electrocatalysts with excellent hydrogen evolution reaction performance are generally challengeable in the domain of electrocatalysis . Here, we provide a robust CoO/CoSe 2 hybrid electrocatalyst towards hydrogen evolution reaction in a wider pH limits through an effective in situ partial surface-oxidation-selenization route. The purpose and ideas of the design are elaborated by the clever use of the process of partial transforming MOFs to LDHs , in situ growing ZnCo-LDHs on the surface of ZIF-8, increasing the number of oxygen-containing groups on the surface of MOFs to achieve more Co and subsequent CoO, and constructing CoO/CoSe 2 heterostructure materials by further selenization. More importantly, the CoO/CoSe 2 nanoparticles is encapsulated with in-situ grown nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon shell and embedded in N, Se co-doped carbon network. Owing to the well-designed nanostructure and the synergistic effect from CoO and CoSe 2 , this hybrid electrocatalyst show substantially enhanced activity and improved long-term durability beyond CoO under both acid and alkaline conditions. This research work may pave a new avenue for the design of universal CoO-based electrocatalysts and their application in clean energy related fields.