Development of nitrogen doped carbon dots modified CuCo alloy nanoparticles for potential electrocatalytic water splitting

Water splitting in recent years has been emerged as a promising approach for renewable energy sources. A number of materials have been synthesized for successful electrosplitting of water. Yet, the simultaneous production of hydrogen and oxygen with the help of efficient and stable bi-functional electrocatalyst is still challenging. Correspondingly, the precious metal based catalysts are gaining much interest for the efficient inexpensive and ecofriendlier practical application in energy materials among researchers. Herein, we report new combination of nitrogen doped carbon dots modified copper cobalt (NDCDs-CuCo) alloy nanoparticles as potential electrocatalyst for water splitting. These catalysts were synthesized at different temperatures. The NDCDs-CuCo alloy nanoparticles exhibit excellent catalytic performances and stability in alkaline medium for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) through synergistic effect between nitrogen doped carbon dots and bimetallic CuCo alloy nanoparticles at optimized conditions of onset over potentials and current densities. NDCDs-CuCo alloy nanoparticles possess electrocatalytic properties in strong alkaline medium with current density of 10 mA cm−2 at 0.38 V. [Display omitted] •Nitrogen doped carbon dots modified copper cobalt (NDCDs-CuCo) alloy nanoparticles were synthesized.•Potential electrocatalysts for water splitting•Excellent electrocatalytic performance compared with noble metals that proved highly•Noble-metal- free electrocatalyst for renewable energy applications