One-step solid phase synthesis of a highly efficient and robust cobalt pentlandite electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction

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Author(s)
Al-Mamun, Mohammad
Wang, Yun
Liu, Porun
Zhong, Yu Lin
Yin, Huajie
Su, Xintai
Zhang, Haimin
Yang, Huagui
Wang, Dan
Tang, Zhiyong
Zhao, Huijun
Year published
2016
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Cobalt pentlandite (Co9S8) has recently emerged as an alternative non-noble metal based electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Co9S8 is known for its intrinsic structural and electronic properties favorable for electrocatalytic applications, but the synthesis of stoichiometrically optimal Co9S8 electrocatalysts remains challenging. Herein, a facile one-step solid phase calcination approach is presented in which Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) were concurrently synthesised on carbon nanosheets (CNSs). The reaction mechanism for this synthesis was systematically investigated using TG/DSC-MS analysis. Relative to ...
View more >Cobalt pentlandite (Co9S8) has recently emerged as an alternative non-noble metal based electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Co9S8 is known for its intrinsic structural and electronic properties favorable for electrocatalytic applications, but the synthesis of stoichiometrically optimal Co9S8 electrocatalysts remains challenging. Herein, a facile one-step solid phase calcination approach is presented in which Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) were concurrently synthesised on carbon nanosheets (CNSs). The reaction mechanism for this synthesis was systematically investigated using TG/DSC-MS analysis. Relative to other cobalt chalcogenide electrocatalysts, the as-prepared thermally stable nanocomposite (Co9S8/CNS) has better electrocatalytic performance for the OER in alkaline electrolytes, exhibiting a smaller overpotential of 294 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 50.7 mV dec−1. Furthermore, a minimum overpotential of 267 mV with a Tafel slope of 48.2 mV dec−1 could be achieved using highly conducting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conducting filler in the nanocomposites.
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View more >Cobalt pentlandite (Co9S8) has recently emerged as an alternative non-noble metal based electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Co9S8 is known for its intrinsic structural and electronic properties favorable for electrocatalytic applications, but the synthesis of stoichiometrically optimal Co9S8 electrocatalysts remains challenging. Herein, a facile one-step solid phase calcination approach is presented in which Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) were concurrently synthesised on carbon nanosheets (CNSs). The reaction mechanism for this synthesis was systematically investigated using TG/DSC-MS analysis. Relative to other cobalt chalcogenide electrocatalysts, the as-prepared thermally stable nanocomposite (Co9S8/CNS) has better electrocatalytic performance for the OER in alkaline electrolytes, exhibiting a smaller overpotential of 294 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 50.7 mV dec−1. Furthermore, a minimum overpotential of 267 mV with a Tafel slope of 48.2 mV dec−1 could be achieved using highly conducting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conducting filler in the nanocomposites.
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Journal Title
Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume
4
Issue
47
Copyright Statement
© 2016 Royal Society of Chemistry. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Macromolecular and materials chemistry
Macromolecular and materials chemistry not elsewhere classified
Materials engineering
Other engineering