image: Schematic of the activity enhancement mechanism of TiO2-CoP/NF view more
Credit: Journal of Energy Chemistry
Recently, Prof. Wei Zidong, Prof. Li Li, and their group from Chongqing University published a manuscript titled "Insight into the boosted activity of TiO2-CoP composites for hydrogen evolution reaction: Accelerated mass transfer, optimized interfacial water, and promoted intrinsic activity" in the Journal of Energy Chemistry.
This work combines composite interfacial engineering and the interface water regulation rule of an electrode/solution to construct a TiO2-CoP composite interface structure by in situ modification. Experiments and multiscale simulations show that the local electric field enhancement induced by the TiO2-CoP composite can accelerate the mass transfer of hydrated cations in the diffusion layer and promote the approach of more water toward the compact layer. Strong interactions between TiO2 and water orient the interfacial water in the inner Helmholtz layer in the H-down configuration, with the hydrogen atoms pointing toward the catalyst surface. The H-down configuration is more conducive to the dissociation of water. More cobalt sites have an optimum hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔG*H) and high intrinsic activity due to TiO2-CoP interfacial charge transfer. Overall, the CoP-TiO2 composites stimulate the coupling of multiscale steps in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and enhance the reaction kinetics over a wide cathodic potential range. This work provides insights into the further understanding of the synergy of composite interface structures.
About the journal
The Journal of Energy Chemistry is a publication that mainly reports on creative researches and innovativeapplications of chemical conversions of fossil energy, carbon dioxide, electrochemical energy and hydrogen energy,as well as the conversions of biomass and solar energy related with chemical issues to promote academicexchanges in the field of energy chemistry and to accelerate the exploration, research and development of energyscience and technologies.
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