Carbon Fibers Doped by Binary Phosphides as an Electrocatalytic Layer for PEM Electrolysers

Abstract

Hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) are important in a variety of electrochemical devices, such as electrolysers and fuel cells. To reduce the reaction overpotential and reduce energy consumption, efficient, low-cost, and durable electrocatalysts must be developed. Needle-less electrospinning (NLE) technique was used to prepare the fibrous electrocatalyst. NLE is a user-friendly and adaptable technique for large-scale low-cost fiber production. NLE created transition metal phosphides carbon fibers (TMP CF). The precursor foam was folded between two Al2O3 ceramic plates. The heat treatment was carried out in a tube furnace at 1200 °C in an Ar atmosphere, followed by a reduction in an H2 atmosphere at 780 °C. The electrolyser's membrane electrode assembly can be immediately submerged in the final TMP CF in the form of plates. The created NiCoP catalytic plates could be directly used in electrolyser's membrane electrode assembly of PEM electrolysers. In a three-electrode system, the electrochemical activity of the produced electrocatalysts was evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry. The electrochemical activity of the produced electrocatalysts were evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry. The catalyst's stability and endurance in acidic and alkaline environments were investigated.