Phytic acid-derived Co2-xNixP2O7-C/RGO and its superior OER electrocatalytic performance

Abstract A phytic acid-derived Co 2-x Ni x P 2 O 7 -C/RGO composite was designed and facilely synthesized, in which phytic acid acted as both a phosphoric source and carbon source. Both carbon derived from phytic acid and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in composite, enhanced the conductivity and thus improve its electrocatalytical capability. As-synthesized Co 1.22 Ni 0.78 P 2 O 7 -C/RGO composite exhibited excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic performances: At the current density of 10 mA cm −2 , only a low overpotential of 283 mV and a small Tafel slope of 51 mV dec −1 were observed. Good OER catalytic performance was retained even after 10 h continuously running at a constant voltage, which is even comparable to those of first-rate noble metal catalyst RuO 2 . In addition, the performances of Co 2-x Ni x P 2 O 7 -C/RGO catalysts were also strongly dependent on Ni content.