Bimetallic Phosphide NiCoP Electrocatalyst Synthesized by One-Step Electrodeposition for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Acidic and Alkaline Solution

Transition metals and their phosphide compounds are promising alternatives to Pt in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), as they are abundant and cost-effective. In this study, a low-cost, efficient, and stable HER catalyst has been developed through one-step potentiostatic electrodeposition at room temperature, where metal phosphide NiCoP nanoparticles are directly grown on a carbon cloth substrate. The NiCoP/CC electrocatalyst exhibits superior HER catalytic performance than the monometallic phosphides NiP/CC and CoP/CC, proving effectiveness in acidic solutions and an alkaline environment. Notably, the NiCoP/CC catalysts exhibit excellent long-term durability at both 10 and 100 mA cm–2. This enhanced catalytic activity is attributed to the bimetallic synergistic effect of Ni and Co, facilitating electron migration among Ni, Co, and P to optimize the electronic structure and resulting in superior performance over monometallic phosphides. Additionally, the NiCoP/CC catalysts feature unique surface characteristics including multimesoporous structures, leading to a higher specific surface area and enhanced conductivity during HER reactions. As an economical and effective HER catalyst, NiCoP/CC electrocatalysts offer a promising strategy for the development of nonprecious metal catalysts for hydrogen production on a large industrial scale.