P-Nb4C3T x Nanosheets Fabricated by a Low-Temperature Phosphating Process as Electrocatalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

Electrochemical water splitting technology is a green, clean, and pollution-free energy technology that can produce hydrogen (H-2) and oxygen (O-2), which is of great significance for alleviating the world energy questions and improving the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is important to develop and prepare low-cost, high-activity, and stable electrocatalysts to improve water splitting technology. In this study, the P-doped bifunctional catalyst (P-Nb4C3Tx) was prepared by introducing the P element into a few layers of Nb4C3Tx by low-temperature phosphating. The low-temperature phosphating can enhance the HER and OER behaviors and achieve optimal overall water splitting ability. It needs only an overpotential of 92 mV to achieve 10 mA<middle dot>cm(-2) for HER and only 278 mV for OER in 1.0 M KOH solution. When P-Nb4C3Tx served as the anode and cathode to construct a water electrolysis cell, a small cell voltage of 1.572 V is needed at 10 mA<middle dot>cm(-2) in 1.0 M KOH. This research is viable for the overall water splitting.