Zhong-Li Wang1, Xian-Feng Hao2, Zheng Jiang3, Xue-Ping Sun3, Dan Xu1, Jun Wang1, Hai-Xia Zhong1, Fan-Lu Meng1, Xin-Bo Zhang1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun, 130022, China. 2. Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Yanshan University , Qinhuangdao, 066004, China. 3. Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai, 201204, China.
Abstract
Development of an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst composed of earth-abundant elements is scientifically and technologically important for the water splitting associated with the conversion and storage of renewable energy. Herein we report a new class of Co-C-N complex bonded carbon (only 0.22 at% Co) for HER with a self-supported and three-dimensional porous structure that shows an unexpected catalytic activity with low overpotential (212 mV at 100 mA cm(-2)) and long-term stability, better than that of most traditional-metal catalysts. Experimental observations in combination with density functional theory calculations reveal that C and N hybrid coordination optimizes the charge distribution and enhances the electron transfer, which synergistically promotes the proton adsorption and reduction kinetics.
Development of an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst n class="Chemical">composed of earth-abundant elements is scientifically and technologically important for the water splitting associated with the conversion and storage of renewable energy. Herein we report a new class of Co-C-Ncomplex bonded carbon (only 0.22 at% Co) for HER with a self-supported and three-dimensional porous structure that shows an unexpected catalytic activity with low overpotential (212 mV at 100 mA cm(-2)) and long-term stability, better than that of most traditional-metal catalysts. Experimental observations in combination with density functional theory calculations reveal that C and N hybrid coordination optimizes the charge distribution and enhances the electron transfer, which synergistically promotes the proton adsorption and reduction kinetics.