Programmable Synthesis of Multimetallic Phosphide Nanorods Mediated by Core/Shell Structure Formation and Conversion.

Generalized synthetic strategies for nanostructures with well-defined physical dimensions and broad-range chemical compositions are at the frontier of advanced nanomaterials design, functionalization, and application. Here, we report a composition-programmable synthesis of multimetallic phosphide CoMPx nanorods (NRs) wherein M can be controlled to be Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, and their binary combinations. Forming Co2P/MPx core/shell NRs and subsequently converting them into CoMPx solid-solution NRs through thermal post-treatment are essential to overcome the obstacle of morphology/structure inconsistency faced in conventional synthesis of CoMPx with the different M compositions. The resultant CoMPx with uniform one-dimensional (1-D) structure provides us a platform to unambiguously screen the M synergistic effects in improving the electrocatalytic activity, as exemplified by the oxygen evolution reaction. This new approach mediated by core/shell nanostructure formation and conversion can be extended to other multicomponent nanocrystal systems (metal alloy, mixed oxide, and chalcogenide, etc.) for diverse applications.