KOH Alkalized Fe3N Nanoparticles on Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

doi:10.15541/jim20170350

Abstract

Abstract:

Surface modification of Fe₃N nanoparticles by KOH solution under electrification conditions was carried out, and effect of alkalization on the catalytic performance of Fe₃N nanoparticles was investigated. Morphology and composition of Fe₃N nanoparticles and alkalized Fe₃N nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, EDX, XPS, Raman spectra, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of Fe₃N nanoparticles and alkalized Fe₃N nanoparticles was analyzed by time-current curve, linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel slope, AC impedance method, and CV curve. It was found that, for alkalized Fe₃N nanoparticles, their average grain sizes decreased from (80±10) nm to (70±10) nm. Their morphology changed from broken chain structure to elliptical structure, while their the phase changed partly from ε-Fe₃N to α-Fe₂O₃, which brought about more exposed electrocatalytic activity sites when compared with the Fe₃N before alkalization. Overpotential at 10 mA/cm² the alkalized Fe₃N nanoparticles was reduced from 0.429 V to 0.204 V and Tafel slope was reduced from 103 mV/dec to 95 mV/dec. Low opening voltage, small Tafel slope, low over-potential, small AC impedance and larg chemically active surface area were achieved by the alkalized Fe₃N nanoparticles, demonstrating that alkalized Fe₃N is a promising excellent electrocatalyst for water splitting.

Key words: Fe₃N nanoparticles, KOH alkalization treatment, electrocatalysis, hydrogen evolution reaction

CLC Number:

O646

WANG Hui, YU You-Xing. KOH Alkalized Fe₃N Nanoparticles on Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2018, 33(6): 653-658.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig. 1 XRD patterns of Fe3N nanoparticles and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Fig. 2 TEM images of Fe3N nanoparticles(a), (b) and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles(c), (d)

Tabel 1 Different elements relative content of Fe3N nanoparticles and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Element	N K/at%	O K/at%	Fe K/at%
Fe₃N	22.80	4.83	72.37
Alkalized Fe₃N	13.50	12.30	74.20

Fig. 3 Raman spectra of Fe3N nanoparticles and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Fig. 4 FT-IR spectra of Fe3N and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Fig. 5 XPS spectra for Fe3N and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Fig. 6 Current-time (I-t) curve obtained for HER with Fe3N nanoparticles at overpotential of -0.3 V (vs. RHE) in 1.0 mol/L KOH

Fig. 7 Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) curves for HER of Fe3N and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles measured at 5 mV/s scan rate

Fig. 8 Corresponding Tafel plots of Fe3N and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Fig. 9 EIS Nyquist plots at -0.3 V (vs. RHE) of Fe3N and alkalized Fe3N nanoparticles

Fig. 10 Measured capacitive currents plotted as a function of scan rate indicated alongside the curve

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KOH Alkalized Fe₃N Nanoparticles on Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

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