Induction of CoP Growth on a MXene (TiCT)-Modified Self-Supporting Electrode for Efficient Overall Water Splitting.

It still is a challenge to create a superior and easily coupled bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting impelled by a low voltage. In this work, the controlled growth of CoP NAs on the surface of a MXene (TiCT)-modified self-supporting electrode is demonstrated as a competent and reliable bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient water splitting. The heterointerface in CoP@TiCT with an optimized adsorption free energy of H*, HO, and better conductivity can give enhanced HER (hydrogen evolution reaction) activity, with a low overpotential (42 mV) at 10 mA cm. Additionally, the OER (oxygen evolution reaction) activity has also been similarly strengthened by the synergy of CoP and MXene with an overpotential of 267 mV to arrive at 10 mA cm. Furthermore, the excellent bifunctional electrode (CoP@TiCT∥CoP@TiCT) exhibits efficient engineering water-splitting performance (1.46 V@10 mA cm) in alkaline solution. This simple design can propose a promising approach to exploit precious-metal-free catalysts for energy conversion.