Citation: Runze He, Chunyan Wang, Ligang Feng. Amorphous FeCoNi-S as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting reaction[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2023, 34(2): 107241. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.02.046 shu

Amorphous FeCoNi-S as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting reaction

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225002, China

ligang.feng@yzu.edu.cn

Received Date: 20 December 2021
Revised Date: 13 February 2022
Accepted Date: 18 February 2022
Available Online: 21 February 2022

Figures(6)

Developing bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting reaction is still highly desired but with large challenges. Herein, an amorphous FeCoNi-S electrocatalyst was developed using thioacetamide for the sulfuration of FeCoNi hydroxide during the hydrothermal process. The obtained catalyst exhibited an amorphous structure with hybrid bonds of metal-S bond and metal-O bonds in the catalyst system. The optimized catalyst showed a largely improved bifunctional catalytic ability to drive water splitting reaction in the alkaline electrolyte compared to the FeCoNi hydroxide. It required an overpotential of 280 mV and 80 mV (No-IR correction) to offer 10 mA/cm² for water oxidation and reduction respectively; a low cell voltage of 1.55 V was required to reach 10 mA/cm² for the water electrolysis with good stability for 12 h. Moreover, this catalyst system showed high catalytic stability, catalytic kinetics, and Faraday efficiency for water splitting reactions. Considering the very low intrinsic activity of FeCoNi hydroxide, the efficient bifunctional catalytic ability should result from the newly formed hybrid active sites of metallic metal-S species and the high valence state of metal oxide species. This work is effective in the bifunctional catalytic ability boosting for the transition metal materials by facile sulfuration in the hydrothermal approach.
- Bifunctional electrocatalyst,
- Amorphous,
- Overall water splitting,
- FeCoNi hydroxide,
- Sulfuration
1. [1]
  P. Han, T. Tan, F. Wu, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 31 (2020) 2469–2472. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.03.009
2. [2]
  Y. Zhou, D. Liu, W. Qiao, et al., Mater. Today Phys. 17 (2021) 100357. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2021.100357
3. [3]
  B. Fang, L. Feng, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 36 (2020) 1905023. doi: 10.3866/pku.whxb201905023
4. [4]
  R. He, M. Li, W. Qiao, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 423 (2021) 130168. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.130168
5. [5]
  L. Yang, Z. Liu, S. Zhu, et al., Mater. Today Phys. 16 (2021) 100292. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2020.100292
6. [6]
  L. Chen, Y. Wang, X. Zhao, et al., J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 110 (2022) 128–135. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.08.083
7. [7]
  Y. Bao, M. Zha, P. Sun, et al., J. Energy Chem. 59 (2021) 748–754. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2020.12.007
8. [8]
  X. Li, C. Huang, W. Han, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 32 (2021) 2597–2616. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.01.047
9. [9]
  D. Li, H. Liu, L. Feng, Energy Fuels 34 (2020) 13491–13522. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c03084
10. [10]
  S. Xu, Y. Du, X. Yu, et al., Nanoscale 13 (2021) 17003–17010. doi: 10.1039/d1nr04513j
11. [11]
  J. Liu, J. Nai, T. You, et al., Small 14 (2018) 1703514. doi: 10.1002/smll.201703514
12. [12]
  Z. Jin, P. Li, X. Huang, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 2 (2014) 18593–18599. doi: 10.1039/C4TA04434G
13. [13]
  T. Kou, S. Wang, J.L. Hauser, et al., ACS Energy Lett. 4 (2019) 622–628. doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.9b00047
14. [14]
  D. Ding, J. Huang, X. Deng, et al., Energy Fuels 35 (2021) 15472–15488. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c02706
15. [15]
  L. Bai, X. Wen, J. Guan, Mater. Today Energy 12 (2019) 311–317. doi: 10.1016/j.mtener.2019.02.004
16. [16]
  M. Zha, C. Pei, Q. Wang, et al., J. Energy Chem. 47 (2020) 166–171. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2019.12.008
17. [17]
  R. Yao, Y. Wu, M. Wang, et al., Int. J. Hydrog. Energy 44 (2019) 30196–30207. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.09.214
18. [18]
  R. Fan, Y. Zhou, M. Li, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 426 (2021) 131943. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.131943
19. [19]
  Y. Zhou, F. Wang, S. Dou, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 427 (2022) 131643. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.131643
20. [20]
  S. Saha, A.K. Ganguli, ChemistrySelect 2 (2017) 1630–1636. doi: 10.1002/slct.201601243
21. [21]
  M. Al-Mamun, Z. Zhu, H. Yin, et al., Chem. Commun. 52 (2016) 9450–9453. doi: 10.1039/C6CC04387A
22. [22]
  X. Gu, Z. Liu, M. Li, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 297 (2021) 120462. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120462
23. [23]
  J. Li, S. Wang, J. Chang, et al., Adv. Powder Mater. 1 (2022) 100030. doi: 10.1016/j.apmate.2022.01.003
24. [24]
  Y. Zhou, W. Yu, Y. Cao, et al., Appl. Catal. B 292 (2021) 120150. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120150
25. [25]
  K. Wan, J. Luo, X. Zhang, et al., J. Energy Chem. 62 (2021) 198–203. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2021.03.013
26. [26]
  X. Zhang, X. Cui, Y. Sun, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 10 (2018) 745–752. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b16280
27. [27]
  J. Wang, D.T. Tran, K. Chang, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 13 (2021) 42944–42956. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c13488
28. [28]
  Z. Li, X. Wu, X. Jiang, et al., Adv. Powder Mater. 33 (2022) 1105–1109.
29. [29]
  D.Y. Li, L.L. Liao, H.Q. Zhou, et al., Mater. Today Phys. 16 (2021) 100314. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2020.100314
30. [30]
  S. Wang, L. Zhao, J. Li, et al., J. Energy Chem. 66 (2022) 483–492. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2021.08.042
31. [31]
  B. Fang, Z. Liu, Y. Bao, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 31 (2020) 2259–2262. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.02.045
32. [32]
  S. Wang, J. Zhu, X. Wu, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 33 (2022) 1105–1109. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00084
33. [33]
  H. Liu, Z. Liu, F. Wang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 397 (2020) 125507. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.125507
34. [34]
  G. Hai, H. Gao, G. Zhao, et al., iScience 20 (2019) 481–488. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.10.001
35. [35]
  H. Liu, S. Cao, J. Zhang, et al., Mater. Today Phys. 20 (2021) 100448. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2021.100448
36. [36]
  B. Zhang, L. Wang, Z. Cao, et al., Nat. Catal. 3 (2020) 985–992. doi: 10.1038/s41929-020-00525-6
37. [37]
  N. Suen, S. Hung, Q. Quan, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev. 46 (2017) 337–365. doi: 10.1039/C6CS00328A
38. [38]
  Y. Bao, L. Feng, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 37 (2021) 2008031.
39. [39]
  M. Li, Y. Gu, Y. Chang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 425 (2021) 130686. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.130686
40. [40]
  H. Wang, C. Tang, B. Wang, et al., Adv. Mater. 29 (2017) 1702327. doi: 10.1002/adma.201702327
41. [41]
  B. Li, S. Zhang, C. Tang, et al., Small 13 (2017) 1700610. doi: 10.1002/smll.201700610
42. [42]
  L. Yang, M. Gao, B. Dai, et al., Electrochim. Acta 191 (2016) 813–820. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.01.160
43. [43]
  G. Zhang, B. Wang, L. Li, et al., Small 15 (2019) 1904105. doi: 10.1002/smll.201904105
44. [44]
  Y. Lu, Z. Li, Y. Xu, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 411 (2021) 128433. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.128433
45. [45]
  Z. Liu, H. Liu, X. Gu, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 397 (2020) 125500. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.125500
1. [1]
  Lili Wang , Xujie Han , Baichuan Xiong , Ya Yan , Cheng Zhang , Yuning Qu , Yiran Zhang , Linlin Zheng , Zirui Gao , Shuheng Tian , Wenjing Dai , Bowen Cheng , Hang Zhang , Zhen Yin . 1D self-supporting NiFe₂O₄/NiMoO₄ heterostructure as bifunctional electrocatalyst via interface engineering for highly efficient seawater splitting. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111437-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111437
2. [2]
  Yuchen Guo , Xiangyu Zou , Xueling Wei , Weiwei Bao , Junjun Zhang , Jie Han , Feihong Jia . Fe regulating Ni3S2/ZrCoFe-LDH@NF heterojunction catalysts for overall water splitting. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(2): 100206-100206. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100206
3. [3]
  Anna Dai , Zhenxiong Huang , Li Tian , Zheng Zhang , Xiangjiu Guan , Liejin Guo . Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting: Modification Strategies and Recent Advances. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(8): 100630-100630. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100630
4. [4]
  Weilong Liu , Jipeng Dong , Luyao Zhang , Ning Li , Yangqin Gao , Lei Ge . Dynamic tuning of d-p orbital hybridization during sulfur vacancy evolution in Co9S8 toward efficient overall water splitting. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(9): 100661-100661. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100661
5. [5]
  Sumiya Akter Dristy , Md Ahasan Habib , Mehedi Hasan Joni , Md Najibullah , Rutuja Mandavkar , Shusen Lin , Jihoon Lee . Binder-free bimetallic vanadium-nickel-boride-phosphide spherical structure for highly efficient and stable industrial-level water splitting. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(12): 100747-100747. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100747
6. [6]
  Yao Wang , Jun Ouyang , Huadong Yuan , Jianmin Luo , Shihui Zou , Jianwei Nai , Xinyong Tao , Yujing Liu . Impact of local amorphous environment on the diffusion of sodium ions at the solid electrolyte interface in sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 110412-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110412
7. [7]
  Ke Zhang , Yajing Wei , Linhua Xie , Sha Kang , Fei Li , Chuanyi Wang . Amorphous titanium carbide on N-defective g-C₃N₅ for high-efficiency photocatalytic NO removal. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110086-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110086
8. [8]
  Jing Cao , Dezheng Zhang , Bianqing Ren , Ping Song , Weilin Xu . Mn incorporated RuO₂ nanocrystals as an efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in acid and alkaline. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(10): 109863-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109863
9. [9]
  Mengzhao Liu , Jie Yin , Chengjian Wang , Weiji Wang , Yuan Gao , Mengxia Yan , Ping Geng . P doped Ni₃S₂ and Ni heterojunction bifunctional catalysts for electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation coupled hydrogen evolution reaction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(9): 111271-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111271
10. [10]
  Ji Chen , Yifan Zhao , Shuwen Zhao , Hua Zhang , Youyu Long , Lingfeng Yang , Min Xi , Zitao Ni , Yao Zhou , Anran Chen . Heterogeneous bimetallic oxides/phosphides nanorod with upshifted d band center for efficient overall water splitting. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109268-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109268
11. [11]
  Liang Dong , Jingkuo Qu , Tuo Zhang , Guanghui Zhu , Ningning Ma , Chang Zhao , Yi Yuan , Xiangjiu Guan , Liejin Guo . MOF-derived NiCo bimetallic cocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic overall water splitting. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110397-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110397
12. [12]
  Xu Huang , Kai-Yin Wu , Chao Su , Lei Yang , Bei-Bei Xiao . Metal-organic framework Cu-BTC for overall water splitting: A density functional theory study. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 109720-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109720
13. [13]
  Yangping Zhang , Tianpeng Liu , Jun Yu , Zhengying Wu , Dongqiong Wang , Yukou Du . Amorphous/crystalline AgS@CoS core@shell catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(8): 110275-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110275
14. [14]
  Gen Zhang , Ying Gu , Lin Li , Fuli Ma , Dan Yue , Xiaoguang Zhou , Chungui Tian . Anion-modulated HER and OER activity of 1D Co-Mo based interstitial compound heterojunctions for the effective overall water splitting. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(7): 110110-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110110
15. [15]
  Jun Yu , Yangping Zhang , Nannan Zhang , Jie Li , Huiyu Sun , Xinyu Gu , Changqing Ye , Tianpeng Liu , Yukou Du . The interface engineering strategy assists the 3D core-shell structure Co₃S₄/CuS@NiFe LDH nanocoral spheres to achieve significant overall water splitting. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(2): 110830-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110830
16. [16]
  Zuyou Song , Yong Jiang , Qiao Gou , Yini Mao , Yimin Jiang , Wei Shen , Ming Li , Rongxing He . Promoting the generation of active sites through "Co-O-Ru" electron transport bridges for efficient water splitting. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 109793-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109793
17. [17]
  Xiaxi Yao , Xiuli Hu , Fangcheng Huang , Xuhong Wang , Xuekun Hong , Dawei Wang . Improved hydrogen and oxygen evolution rates in Pt@TiO₂@RuO₂ hollow nanoshells through dielectric Mie resonance and spatial cocatalyst separation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110192-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110192
18. [18]
  Lu Qi , Zhaoyang Chen , Xiaoyu Luan , Zhiqiang Zheng , Yurui Xue , Yuliang Li . Atomically dispersed Mn enhanced catalytic performance for overall water splitting on graphdiyne-coated copper hydroxide nanowire. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(1): 100197-100197. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100197
19. [19]
  Rui Deng , Wenjie Jiang , Tianqi Yu , Jiali Lu , Boyao Feng , Panagiotis Tsiakaras , Shibin Yin . Cycad-leaf-like crystalline-amorphous heterostructures for efficient urea oxidation-assisted water splitting. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(7): 100290-100290. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100290
20. [20]
  Hongling Yuan , Jialin Xie , Jiawei Wang , Jixiang Zhao , Jiayan Liu , Qing Feng , Wei Qi , Min Liu . Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC): The Agile Vanguard in the Realm of Materials. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(7): 294-298. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202311041

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(7)
Abstract views(2217)
HTML views(264)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142