Controlling atomic phosphorous-mounting surfaces of ultrafine W2C nanoislands monodispersed on the carbon frameworks for enhanced hydrogen evolution

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(21)63808-1

Abstract

Abstract:

Controllably mounting foreign atoms on the surfaces of earth-abundant electrocatalysts strongly improve their surface electronic properties for optimizing the catalytic performance of surficial sites to an unusual level, and provides a good platform to gain deep insights into catalytic reactions. The present work describes, employing ultrafine W₂C nanoislands (average size: 2.3 nm) monodispersed on the N, P dual-doped carbon frameworks as a model system, how to regulate the atomic phosphorous-mounting effect on the surfaces of W₂C to derive an active and stable P-mounting W₂C (WCP) catalyst for both acidic and alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Since in situ phosphorus substitution into carbon sites of preformed W₂C nanoislands gradually proceeds from surfaces to solids, so that using a proper amount of phosphorus sources can readily control the surface mounting level to avoid the mass P-doping into the bulk. By this way, the activity per active site of WCP catalyst with robust stability can be optimized to 0.07 and 0.56 H₂ s^-1 at -200 mV overpotential in acid and base, respectively, which reach up to the several-fold of pure-phase W₂C (0.01 and 0.05 H₂ s^-1). Theoretical investigations suggest that compared with solid P doping, the P mounting on W₂C surface can more remarkably enhance its metallicity and decrease the hydrogen release barrier. This finding disclosed a key correlation between surface foreign atom-mounting and catalytic activity, and suggested a logical extension to other earth-abundant catalysts for various catalytic reactions.

Key words: Tungsten carbide, Doping, Surficial engineering, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Electrocatalyst

Xiangyong Zhang, Tianying Liu, Ting Guo, Xueying Han, Zongyun Mu, Qiang Chen, Jiangmin Jiang, Jing Yan, Jiaren Yuan, Dezhi Wang, Zhuangzhi Wu, Zongkui Kou. Controlling atomic phosphorous-mounting surfaces of ultrafine W₂C nanoislands monodispersed on the carbon frameworks for enhanced hydrogen evolution[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2021, 42(10): 1798-1807.

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URL: https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/10.1016/S1872-2067(21)63808-1

https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/Y2021/V42/I10/1798

Figures/Tables 7

Scheme 1. The illustration for the preparation and the structure of WCP monodispersed on the N, P dual-doped carbon frameworks.

Fig. 1. Structural analyses of WCP-2. (a,b) TEM images; (c) HRTEM image the WCP-2; (d1,d2) Images of the region enclosed by the white square of (c); (e) The particle size distribution; (f-k) HAADF-STEM image and the corresponding EDX mappings of W (g), C (h), P (i), N (j), and the merged image (k).

Fig. 2. Phase and elemental chemical state analyses of W2C and WCP-2. (a) The XRD patterns; (b) The Raman spectra; The XPS spectra: (c) W 4f, (d) C 1s, (e) N 1s and (f) P 2p of the W2C and WCP-2 catalysts.

Fig. 3. The HER performances of all the studied catalysts: (a) Polarization curves; (b) Tafel slopes; (c) Comparison of the η10 and Tafel slopes of the as-obtained catalysts in acidic solution; (d) Polarization curves; (e) Tafel slopes; (f) Comparison of the η10 and Tafel slopes of the as-obtained samples in alkaline solution; (g,h) Stability tests of WCP-2 in acidic and in alkaline solution, respectively.

Fig. 4. Active origin investigations of WCP catalysts. (a,d) Nyquist plots; (b,e) Measured capacitive currents plotted as a function of scan rate; (c,f) Comparison of the ECSA values and TOF values of the as-obtained samples in acidic and alkaline media, respectively.

Fig. 5. The effect of surface P-mounting levels on the catalytic performance. (a) The XRD patterns; (b) W 4f; (c) P 2p; (d) The atomic content of phosphorus by EDS and XPS of WCP catalysts; (e) The models of surface and bulk distribution of P substituents in WCP catalysts.

Fig. 6. (a) The density of state (DOS) of W2C and WCP; (b) Free energy diagrams of adsorbed *H on W2C, s-WCP and b-WCP.

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Controlling atomic phosphorous-mounting surfaces of ultrafine W₂C nanoislands monodispersed on the carbon frameworks for enhanced hydrogen evolution

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