Journal Article

FZJ-2020-02731

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Self-Epitaxial Hetero-Nanolayers and Surface Atom Reconstruction in Electrocatalytic Nickel Phosphides

Wei, X.-K. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Xiong, D. ; Liu, L. ; Dunin-Borkowski, R. E.FZJ*

2020
Soc. Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/25896  doi:10.1021/acsami.0c03154

Abstract: Surface atomic, compositional, and electronic structures play decisive roles in governing the performance of catalysts during electrochemical reactions. Nevertheless, for efficient and cheap transition-metal phosphides used for water splitting, such atomic-scale structural information is largely missing. Despite much effort being made so far, there is still a long way to go for establishing a precise structure–activity relationship. Here, in combination with electron-beam bombardment and compositional analysis, our atomic-scale transmission electron microscopy study on Ni5P4 nanosheets, with a preferential (001) orientation, directly reveals the coverage of a self-epitaxial Ni2P nanolayer on the phosphide surface. Apart from the presence of nickel vacancies in the Ni5P4 phase, our quantum-mechanical image simulations also suggest the existence of an additional NiPx (0 < x < 0.5) nanolayer, characteristic of complex surface atom reconstruction, on the outermost surface of the phosphides. The surface chemical gradient and the core–shell scenario, probably responsible for the passivated catalytic activity, provide a novel insight to understand the catalytic performance of transition-metal catalysts used for electrochemical energy conversion.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Physik Nanoskaliger Systeme (ER-C-1)

Research Program(s):

1. 143 - Controlling Configuration-Based Phenomena (POF3-143) (POF3-143)
2. CritCat - Towards Replacement of Critical Catalyst Materials by Improved Nanoparticle Control and Rational Design (686053) (686053)

Appears in the scientific report 2020

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Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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