Low band gap benzimidazole COF supported Ni3N as highly active OER catalyst

TitleLow band gap benzimidazole COF supported Ni3N as highly active OER catalyst
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsNandi, S, Singh, SKumar, Mullangi, D, Illathvalappil, R, George, L, Vinod, CP, Kurungot, S, Vaidhyanathan, R
JournalAdvanced Energy Materials
Volume6
Issue24
PaginationArticle No:1601189
Date PublishedDEC
ISSN1614-6832
Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have structures and morphologies closely resembling graphenes, whose modular construction permits atomiclevel manipulations. This, combined with their porous structure, makes them excellent catalyst supports. Here, the high electrocatalytic activity of a composite, formed by supporting Ni3N nanoparticles on a benzimidazole COF, for oxygen evolution reaction is shown. The composite oxidizes alkaline water with a near-record low overpotential of 230 mV @ 10 mA cm(-2) (eta(10)). This high activity is attributed to the ability of the COF to confine the Ni3N nanoparticles to size regimes otherwise difficult to obtain and to its low band gap character (1.49 eV) arising from the synergy between the conducting Ni3N nanoparticles and the pi-conjugated COF. The COF itself, as a metalfree self-standing framework, has an oxygen evolution reaction activity with 10 of 400 mV. The periodic structure of the COF makes it serve as a matrix to disperse the catalytically active Ni3N nanoparticles favoring their high accessibility and thereby good charge-transport within the composite. This is evident from the amount of O-2 evolved (230 mmol h(-1) g(-1)), which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest reported. The work reveals the emergence of COF as supports for electrocatalysts.

DOI10.1002/aenm.201601189
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)15.23
Divison category: 
Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry
Physical and Materials Chemistry

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