Synthesis of bristlegrass-like Co-doped Ni2P composites on Ni foam for overall seawater splitting

Seawater is the most abundant resource on earth, so developing cost-effective, highly durable corrosion resistance and efficient electrocatalysts are crucial to enhance seawater splitting. Herein, we prepared 3D bristlegrass-like Co-doped Ni2P (Co-Ni2P) composites supported on Ni foam (NF) through a facile solvothermal method combined and a subsequent phosphatization treatment. Benefiting from the unique structure, Co-Ni2P shows excellent electrocatalytic activity as an electrode material for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, low overpotential of 116 mV at 50 mA cm−2) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER, low overpotential of 266 mV at 50 mA cm−2). Moreover, the as-prepared Co-Ni2P composites exhibit excellent stability and corrosion resistance in an alkaline medium. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to evaluate the H∗ adsorption of Co-Ni2P, and the results proved the high catalytic activity for the HER. This study provides new materials with a unique morphology for overall water splitting.