Embedding RhPx in N, P Co-Doped Carbon Nanoshells Through Synergetic Phosphorization and Pyrolysis for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Rational design and controllable synthesis of well-defined nanostructures with high stability and Pt-like activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are critical for renewable energy conversion. Herein, a unique pyrolysis strategy is demonstrated for the synthesis of RhPx nanoparticles (NPs) in N, P co-doped thin carbon nanoshells (RhPx@NPC nanoshells) that display high electrocatalytic activity and stability over a wide pH range. This strategy involves simultaneous phosphorization and pyrolysis processes that can produce highly-dispersed RhPx NPs within N, P co-doped carbon nanoshells and at the same time induce thinning of carbon nanoshells from inside out. The resulting RhPx@NPC nanoshells not only possess Pt-like activity for HER with low overpotentials to achieve 10 mA cm(-2) (22 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4, 69 mV in 1.0 m KOH, and 38 mV in 1.0 m phosphate buffered saline (PBS)) but also provide long-term durability in a wide pH range. The remarkable HER performance of RhPx@NPC nanoshells is ascribed to the high surface area, abundant mesoporosity, strong catalyst-support interaction, ultrathin carbon encapsulation, and N, P co-doping. This work provides an effective strategy for designing heterostructured electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and stability desired for reactions that may occur under harsh conditions.