Prussian blue analogue derived trimetallic nickel–cobalt–iron phosphide nanocubes coupled with molybdenum carbide heterostructures for overall water splitting
Journal
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Journal Volume
716
Start Page
140301
ISSN
0021-9797
Date Issued
2026-08
Author(s)
Abstract
To boost the efficiency of electrochemical water splitting and foster the development of hydrogen energy through sustainable routes, research on low-cost and precious-metal-free, bifunctional electrocatalysts is crucial. Such catalysts must possess outstanding activity and durability to enable practical green hydrogen production on an industrial scale. In this study, we report the synthesis of a bifunctional electrocatalyst called P-0.4 Ni-CoFe/MXene. This heterostructure utilizes molybdenum carbide MXene-supported CoFe Prussian blue analogues as starting materials to regrow oriented NiCoFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets, which are subsequently treated with phosphorization. The vertically aligned nanosheets are induced by the addition of Ni precursor. This structure provides abundant active sites and an optimal electronic configuration furnished by the trimetallic metal phosphides. The synergistic effect between MXene and the catalytically active metal compositions further enhances the electrocatalytic performance. Owing to these features, the as-prepared P-0.4 Ni-CoFe/MXene demonstrates electrocatalytic efficiencies, with low overpotentials of 219 and 92 mV toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), respectively, at 10 mA cm−2. In a two-electrode configuration for overall water splitting, a cell voltage of only 1.55 V is required to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The catalyst maintains its activities with eminent long-term stability for at least 120 h, which clearly indicates the prominent bifunctionality of P-0.4 Ni-CoFe/MXene in water splitting applications.
Subjects
Electrocatalytic water splitting
Hydrogen evolution reaction
Layered double hydroxide
MXene
Nickel cobalt iron phosphide
Oxygen evolution reaction
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article