MXene‐Enhanced Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived CoP Nanocomposites as Highly Efficient Trifunctional Electrocatalysts for OER, HER, and ORR

• Published in: Advanced energy and sustainability research Vol. 6; no. 8
• Main Authors: Farooq, Komal, Yang, Zhuxian, Murtaza, Maida, Naseeb, Muhammad Ahsan, Waseem, Amir, Zhu, Yanqiu, Xia, Yongde
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley-VCH 01.08.2025
• Subjects: cobalt phosphides; electrocatalysts; metal–organic framework derivatives; MXene
• ISSN: 2699-9412; 2699-9412
• DOI: 10.1002/aesr.202400400

Developing robust active electrocatalysts from readily available earth‐abundant elements for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains an unresolved challenge. Herein, Ti3C2Tx MXene‐containing metal–organic framework‐derived CoP nanocomposite electrocatalysts are successfully prepared by phosphidation of in situ‐produced ZIF‐67/MXene composite precursor at various heat treatment temperatures. The obtained nanocomposite catalysts are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission‐scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy/EDS. In the produced composites, Ti3C2Tx MXene functions as a supportive substrate to facilitate mass transfer, as well as ion transport, and to improve electrical conductivity. Moreover, the introduction of MXene into the heterostructured CoP@C/Ti3C2Tx enables it to expose and provide extra active sites for electrochemical reactions. The as‐prepared CoP@C/MXene‐360 (abbreviated as CPMX‐360) nanocomposite is a promising trifunctional electrocatalyst toward OER, HER, and ORR. CPMX‐360 exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity with an overpotential of 235 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in OER, an overpotential of 220 mV at −10 mA cm−2 in HER, and an Eonset and E1/2 of 0.82 and 0.74 V in ORR, respectively. This research provides a viable method to develop nonprecious trifunctional electrocatalyst via phosphidation of metal–organic framework and MXene with excellent performance for OER, HER, and ORR. Ti3C2Tx MXene‐containing metal–organic framework‐derived CoP nanocomposite electrocatalysts are prepared by the phosphidation of in‐situ produced ZIF‐67/MXene precursor at various heat treatment temperatures. The as‐prepared CoP@C/MXene‐360 nanocomposite exhibits promising electrocatalytic performance as trifunctional catalyst toward oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and oxygen reduction reaction due to the increased electronic conductivity and exposure of extra reaction active sites for the electrochemical reactions.