Co2P quantum dot embedded N, P dual-doped carbon self-supported electrodes with flexible and binder-free properties for efficient hydrogen evolution reactionsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7nr08148k

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) are considered to be superb catalysts for water splitting. In this work, we introduce an efficient strategy to fabricate dicobalt phosphide (Co 2 P) quantum dots embedded in N, P dual-doped carbon (Co 2 P@NPC) on carbon cloth (Co 2 P@NPC/CC) by in situ carbonization of cobalt ion induced phytic acid (PA) and polyaniline (PANI) macromolecule precursors. As a highly efficient self-supported electrode, it has a low onset overpotential (74 mV at 1 mA cm −2 ) approaching that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media. Meanwhile, it also shows very low overpotentials of only 116 and 129 mV at 10 mA cm −2 with robust stability in acidic and alkaline media, respectively. Co 2 P quantum dots embedded in N, P dual-doped carbon on carbon cloth, as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrode, present superb activity and stability.