Nickel Phosphide Coated with Ultrathin Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Shell as a Highly Durable and Active Catalyst towards Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Developing non-precious metal catalysts towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of both high scientific and technical importance for the widespread application of water electrolysis. Herein, Ni 2 P nanoparticles coated with a ultrathin N-doped carbon shell were prepared as a highly efficient HER catalyst. Ni 2 P@CN exhibits both enhanced catalytic activity and durability in comparison with the carbon-supported Ni 2 P counterpart, and represents 100% faradaic yield for HER in an acidic medium. The improved charge transfer of N-doped graphitic carbon shells contributes to the increase in activity. Meanwhile, the carbon shells suppress the aggregation and exfoliation of Ni 2 P nanoparticles. As a result, the synergistic role of the N-doped carbon layer confers the Ni 2 P cores with boosted activity and stability.