Cobalt phosphide nanoparticles anchored on molybdenum selenide nanosheets as high-performance electrocatalysts for water reduction

Cobalt phosphide (CoP) has been regarded as one of the most promising electrocatalysts to generate hydrogen gas by splitting water. However, the electrocatalytic performance of CoP is hindered by its relatively sluggish kinetics. Herein, a novel and effective electrocatalyst based on MoSe2 nanosheets combining with CoP has been synthesized via a facile method. By electrochemistry test, it is found that all the composites display much better catalytic activities than pristine CoP and pure MoSe2 nanosheets. In addition, the optimized composite can realize a current density of 155.14 mA/cm2 at the potential of −300 mV vs RHE and exhibit outstanding stability. This remarkable HER activity may result from the excellent electrical conductivity of MoSe2 nanosheets and the synergistic effect between MoSe2 nanosheets and CoP.