Self-Supported FeP-CoMoP Hierarchical Nanostructures for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Graphical FeP-CoMoP hierarchical nanostructures (HNSs) were successfully fabricated through a facile phosphorization strategy using Co−Mo-Fe HNSs as precursors, and directly served as electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution. Owing to the well-defined hierarchical nanostructures with high charge-transfer efficiency, favourable conductivity and good electrolyte infiltration, the FeP-CoMoP HNSs display an excellent HER performance in alkaline media. Fabricating highly efficient electrocatalysts for electrochemical hydrogen generation is a top priority to relief the global energy crisis and environmental contamination. Herein, a rational synthetic strategy is developed for constructing well-defined FeP−CoMoP hierarchical nanostructures (HNSs). In general terms, the self-supported Co nanorods (NRs) are grown on conductive carbon cloth and directly serve as a self-sacrificing template. After solvothermal treatment, Co NRs are converted into well-ordered Co−Mo nanotubes (NTs). Subsequently, the small-sized Fe oxyhydroxide nanorods arrays are hydrothermally grown on the surface of Co−Mo NTs to form Fe−Co−Mo HNSs, which are then converted into FeP−CoMoP HNSs through a facile phosphorization treatment. FeP−CoMoP HNSs display high activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with an ultralow cathodic overpotential of 33 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and a Tafel slope of 51 mV dec −1 . Moreover, FeP−CoMoP HNSs also possess an excellent electrochemical durability in alkaline media. First-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the remarkable HER activitiy of FeP−CoMoP HNSs originates from the synergistic effect between FeP and CoMoP.