Phase-controlled synthesis of polymorphic tungsten diphosphide with hybridization of monoclinic and orthorhombic phases as a novel electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution

The design and development of high-efficiency and non-noble-metal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts for future clean and renewable energy system has excited significant research interests over the recent years. In this communication, the polymorphic tungsten diphosphide (p-WP 2 ) nanoparticles with mixed monoclinic (α-) and orthorhombic (β-) phases are synthesized by phase-controlled phosphidation route via vacuum capsulation and explored as a novel efficient electrocatalyst towards HER. The p-WP 2 catalyst delivers superior performance with excellent stability under both acidic and alkaline conditions over its single phases of α-WP 2 and β-WP 2 . This finding demonstrates that a highly efficient hybrid electrocatalyst can be achieved via precise composition controlling and may open up exciting opportunities for their practical applications toward energy conversion.