Hydrogen evolution reaction catalysis

Abstract

A Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) catalyst includes at least one component selected from a group consisting of transition metal phosphides and first row transition metal sulfides. The catalyst can be included in nanoparticles. In some instances, the catalyst is included in a hydrogen evolution reaction electrode. In one example, the catalyst is cobalt phosphide.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst, the catalyst including at least one component selected from a group consisting of transition metal phosphides, first row transition metal sulfides, and transition metal arsenides.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is included in nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the nanoparticles have an average diameter greater than 1 nm and less than 10,000 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a phosphide that includes phosphorous and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of cobalt, tungsten, nickel, iron, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, niobium, and molybdenum. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a sulfide that includes sulfur and one or more first row transition metals selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, iron and titanium. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is an arsenide that includes arsenic and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is cobalt phosphide. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the cobalt phosphide is represented by Co x P y  wherein x has value greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 4 and y has a value greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 4. 
     
     
         9 . An electrode at which a hydrogen evolution reaction occurs, comprising:
 a hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst, the catalyst including at least one component selected from a group consisting of transition metal phosphides and first row transition metal sulfides.   
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the nanoparticles have an average diameter greater than 1 nm and less than 10,000 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of cobalt phosphide, tungsten phosphide, dinickel phosphide (Ni 2 P), iron phosphide, and molybdenum phosphide. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the catalyst is cobalt phosphide. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode of  claim 12 , wherein the cobalt phosphide is represented by CoP wherein x has value greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 4 and y has a value greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 4. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode of  claim 13 , wherein the cobalt phosphide is represented by CoP. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the catalyst is exposed to an environment with a pH less than 6. 
     
     
         16 . A system, comprising:
 an electrode at which a hydrogen evolution reaction occurs, the electrode including a hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst, the catalyst including at least one component selected from a group consisting of transition metal phosphides and first row transition metal sulfides.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of cobalt phosphide, tungsten phosphide, dinickel phosphide (Ni 2 P), iron phosphide, and molybdenum phosphide. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the catalyst is cobalt phosphide. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the electrode is positioned in an environment with a pH less than 6.