Publication details

Authors: Patel, Prasad Prakash; Velikokhatnyi, Oleg I.; Ghadge, Shrinath D.; Hanumantha, Prashanth J.; Datta, Moni Kanchan; Kuruba, Ramalinga; Gattu, Bharat; Shanthi, Pavithra Murugavel; Kumta, Prashant N. 
Title: Electrochemically active and robust cobalt doped copper phosphosulfide electro-catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction in electrolytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting 
Type: Journal Article 
Publisher: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy  
Year: 2018 
Volume: 43 
Issue: 16 
Start Page: 7855-7871 
End Page:  
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.02.147 
WEB-link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319918306505 
Abstract: The area of non-noble metals based electro-catalysts with electrochemical activity and stability similar or superior to that of noble metal electro-catalyst for efficient hydrogen production from electrolytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a subject of intense research. In the current study, exploiting theoretical first principles study involving determination of hydrogen binding energy to the surface of the electro-catalyst, we have identified the (Cu0.83Co0.17)3P: x at. % S system displaying excellent electrochemical activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Accordingly, we have experimentally synthesized (Cu0.83Co0.17)3P: x at. % S (xý=ý10, 20, 30) demonstrating excellent electrochemical activity with an onset overpotential for HER similar to Pt/C in acidic, neutral as well as basic media. The highest electrochemical activity is exhibited by (Cu0.83Co0.17)3P:30ýat. % S nanoparticles (NPs) displaying overpotential to reach 100ýmAýcm2 in acidic, neutral and basic media similar to Pt/C. The (Cu0.83Co0.17)3P:30ýat. % S NPs also display excellent electrochemical stability in acidic media for long term electrolytic and PEC water splitting process [using our previously reported (Sn0.95Nb0.05) O2: N-600 nanotubes (NTs) as the photoanode]. The applied bias photon-to-current efficiency obtained using (Cu0.83Co0.17)3P:30ýat. % S NPs as the cathode electro-catalyst for HER in an H-type PEC water splitting cell (<4%) is similar to that obtained using Pt/C (<4.1%) attesting to the promise of this exciting non-noble metal containing system.  
Keywords: Hydrogen evolution reaction 
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