Synthesis of Nickel Phosphide Electrocatalysts from Hybrid Metal Phosphonates.

Title Synthesis of Nickel Phosphide Electrocatalysts from Hybrid Metal Phosphonates.
Authors R. Zhang; P.A. Russo; M. Feist; P. Amsalem; N. Koch; N. Pinna
Journal ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
DOI 10.1021/acsami.7b01178
Abstract

Transition-metal phosphides (TMPs) have recently emerged as efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting. The synthesis of nanostructured phosphides often involves highly reactive and hazardous phosphorous-containing compounds. Herein, we report the synthesis of nickel phosphides through thermal treatment under H2(5%)/Ar of layered nickel phenylphosphonate (NiPh) or methylphosphonate (NiMe) that act as single-source precursors. Ni12P5, Ni12P5-Ni2P, and Ni2P nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes of ca. 15-45 nm coated with a thin shell of carbonaceous material were produced. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TG-MS) showed that H2, H2O, P2, and -C6H5 are the main compounds formed during the transformation of the precursor under argon and no hazard phosphorous-containing compounds are created, making this a simple and relatively safe route for fabricating nanostructured TMPs. The H2 most likely reacts with the -PO3 groups of the precursor to form H2O and P2, and the latter subsequently reacts with the metal to produce the phosphide. The Ni12P5-Ni2P and Ni2P NPs efficiently catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with Ni2P showing the best performance and generating a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) at an overpotential of 87 mV and exhibiting long-term stability. Co2P and CoP NPs were also synthesized following this method. This approach may be utilized to explore the rich metal phosphonate chemistry for fabricating phosphide-based materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications.

Citation R. Zhang; P.A. Russo; M. Feist; P. Amsalem; N. Koch; N. Pinna.Synthesis of Nickel Phosphide Electrocatalysts from Hybrid Metal Phosphonates.. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2017;9(16):1401314022. doi:10.1021/acsami.7b01178

Related Elements

Nickel

See more Nickel products. Nickel (atomic symbol: Ni, atomic number: 28) is a Block D, Group 4, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 58.6934. Nickel Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of nickel's shells is [2, 8, 16, 2] and its electron configuration is [Ar]3d8 4s2. Nickel was first discovered by Alex Constedt in 1751. The nickel atom has a radius of 124 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 184 pm. In its elemental form, nickel has a lustrous metallic silver appearance. Nickel is a hard and ductile transition metal that is considered corrosion-resistant because of its slow rate of oxidation. Elemental NickelIt is one of four elements that are ferromagnetic and is used in the production of various type of magnets for commercial use. Nickel is sometimes found free in nature but is more commonly found in ores. The bulk of mined nickel comes from laterite and magmatic sulfide ores. The name originates from the German word kupfernickel, which means "false copper" from the illusory copper color of the ore.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus Bohr ModelSee more Phosphorus products. Phosphorus (atomic symbol: P, atomic number: 15) is a Block P, Group 15, Period 3 element. The number of electrons in each of Phosphorus's shells is 2, 8, 5 and its electronic configuration is [Ne] 3s2 3p3. The phosphorus atom has a radius of 110.5.pm and its Van der Waals radius is 180.pm. Phosphorus is a highly-reactive non-metallic element (sometimes considered a metalloid) with two primary allotropes, white phosphorus and red phosphorus its black flaky appearance is similar to graphitic carbon. Compound forms of phosphorus include phosphates and phosphides. Phosphorous was first recognized as an element by Hennig Brand in 1669 its name (phosphorus mirabilis, or "bearer of light") was inspired from the brilliant glow emitted by its distillation.

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