The synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with graphitic carbon nitride (FeX-NC), and their improved electrochemical
stability and corrosion resistance in acidic electrolyte environment are reported. Our results show that the FeX-NC
nanocomposites exhibit enhanced activity and long-term stability for HER in 0.5 M H2SO4 aqueous ...
The synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with graphitic carbon nitride (FeX-NC), and their improved electrochemical
stability and corrosion resistance in acidic electrolyte environment are reported. Our results show that the FeX-NC
nanocomposites exhibit enhanced activity and long-term stability for HER in 0.5 M H2SO4 aqueous solution, with an onset
potential of 73 mV and Tafel slope of 69 mV dec-1
. Furthermore, DFT calculations are carried out to represent our
experimental system. Both theory and experiment strongly correlate with each other, where gC3N4@FeO has superior
performance to the pristine gC3N4. It is found that the electrocatalytic activity of gC3N4@FeO arise from the electron transfer
from FeO particles to the gC3N4 which form an electrostatic interaction, leading to a decreased local work function on the
surface of gC3N4. The resulting graphitic carbon nitride shells prevented the direct contact between iron oxide nanoparticles
and acidic electrolyte (H2SO4), so that the improved stabilities and corrosion resistance could be achieved. This work sheds
light on new efficient and durable electrocatalysts for applications in acidic environments.