Ternary Fe_<i>x</i>Co_1–<i>x</i>P Nanowire Array as a Robust Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst with Pt-like Activity: Experimental and Theoretical Insight

Abstract

Replacement of precious Pt with earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) holds great promise for clean energy devices, but the development of low-cost and durable HER catalysts with Pt-like activity is still a huge challenge. In this communication, we report on the development of self-standing ternary Fe_xCo_1-xP nanowire array on carbon cloth (Fe_xCo_1-xP/CC) as a Pt-free HER catalyst with activities being strongly related to Fe substitution ratio. Electrochemical tests show that Fe_0.5Co_0.5P/CC not only possesses Pt-like activity with the need of overpotential of only 37 mV to drive 10 mA cm^-2, outperforming all non-noble-metal HER catalysts reported to date, but demonstrates superior long-term durability in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. Density functional theory calculations further reveal that Fe substitution of Co in CoP leads to more optimal free energy of hydrogen adsorption to the catalyst surface. This study offers us a promising flexible monolithic catalyst for practical applications.