A highly efficient electrocatalyst for seawater electrolysis: Assembled with nitrogen-doped ferric phosphides nanospheres on carbon matrix

Hydrogen can be produced through seawater electrolysis, making it one of the most promising clean energy sources. Herein, nitrogen-doped ferric phosphide nanospheres on carbon matrix are successfully synthesized through one-step pyrolysis and in-situ phosphorization technique and employed as a catalyst for seawater splitting. As-prepared nitrogen-doped transition metal-based phosphide nanospheres decorated on carbon matrix work as efficient and stable HER/OER catalysts in alkaline seawater electrolytes; the carbon-based matrix and the phosphate group, can protect the catalyst from chloride poisoning. In addition to its excellent catalytic performance for seawater electrolysis, the developed electrocatalyst has also been found to be a durable catalyst. In alkaline natural seawater, the electrocatalyst achieved high stability for up to 80 h for overall seawater splitting due to its stable nanosphere structure, which prevents the migration/aggregation of metallic species.