Inheritable Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Interfaces with π–d Electron Coupling for Robust Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution at High‐Current‐Densities

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 33; no. 6
• Main Authors: Zhao, Sheng, Yin, Lijie, Deng, Liming, Song, Junnan, Chang, Yu‐Ming, Hu, Feng, Wang, Hui, Chen, Han‐Yi, Li, Linlin, Peng, Shengjie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Cobalt oxalates; Coupling; Electrocatalysts; electrolysis; electron coupling; Electronic structure; Electrons; Heterojunctions; heterostructure interfaces; Heterostructures; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Interface stability; Materials science; Metal foams; Optimization; Phase transitions; Polyanilines; Robustness; Substitution reactions
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202211576

Rational heterointerface engineering is crucial for superior and robust hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a delicate organic‐inorganic hybrid heterojunction based on the assembly of oxalate with polyaniline (PANI) for HER at high‐current‐densities is envisioned. Strong π–d electron coupling is achieved between the delocalized π electrons of PANI and the localized d electrons of oxalate metal sites. The CoC2O4 nanosheets are grown on nickel foam (NF) with Ni2+ ions substitution by the precursor etching. By virtue of the synergy of hetero ions and π–d electron coupling, metal sites obtain sufficient exposure and electronic structure optimization. Surprisingly, the phase transition of oxalate during HER in the alkaline environment does not weaken the π–d electronic coupling of the organic‐inorganic hybrid interfaces. Inheritable interfacial electron interaction provides a reliable guarantee for robust stability at high‐current‐densities while endowing the hybrid materials with extremely low overpotentials. As expected, post‐phase reconstructed Co0.59Ni0.41(OH)2@PANI/NF displays impressive HER activity, with a low overpotential of 43 mV@−10 mA cm−2 and robust stability at −1000 mA cm−2 for 30 h in the alkaline environment. This study sheds light on the rational heterostructure interface design and promotes the architecture of an impressive electrocatalysts system. This study constructs robust organic‐inorganic hybrid interfaces between bimetallic oxalate and polyaniline with strong π–d electronic coupling. The oxalate undergoes phase reconstruction to form hydroxide during hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the alkaline environment. Benefiting from the strong electronic coupling, the hybrid interfaces after the reconstruction remain structurally stable to achieve superior HER activity at high‐current‐densities.