Loading of Cluster-Based Coordination Compound on Biomass Derived N‑Doped Mesoporous Carbon Matrix: A Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting

To improve the electrocatalytic activity of a cluster-based coordination compound constructed by Cu­(I) and 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine ligand, its particles were loaded on N-doped mesoporous carbon matrix derived from peach juice. In this electrocatalyst, nanoparticles of the cluster-based coordination compound disperse homogeneously on mesoporous carbon matrix doped by nitrogen atoms. The size of the nanoparticles ranges from 6 to 8 nm. Surface area of the electrocatalyst is 296.4 m²·g^–1. In 1.0 M KOH, this electrocatalyst exhibits outstanding performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). To achieve current of 10 mA·cm^–2, the overpotential is only 60 mV and Tafel slope 63 mV·dec^–1. This electrocatalyst also shows outstanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Under the same condition, to obtain a current of 10 mA·cm^–2, its overpotential is only 298 mV. The electrocatalyst possesses excellent durability; after 2000 cycles as well as 10 h long-term HER and OER tests, the current remains stable. To achieve overall water splitting, an electrolyzer is constructed with this bifunctional electrocatalyst as both cathode and anode at the same time. With 1.55 V of voltage, this electrocatalyst can obtain a current of 10 mA·cm^–2. The electrolyzer possesses excellent stability, which remains constant for 48 h in overall water splitting. We expect this bifunctional electrocatalyst can act as a new material for H₂ production