From atomic bonding to heterointerfaces: Co2P/WC constructed by lacunary polyoxometalates induced strategy as efficient hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts at all pH values

Herein, a novel in-situ “atomic binding to heterointerface” strategy is proposed to obtain Co 2 P/ [email protected] /CNTs catalyst with abundant heterointerface between cobalt phosphide and tungsten carbide (Co 2 P/WC) by the polyoxometalates (POMs)-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) precursor. The natural quasi interfaces in K 10 [Co 4 (H 2 O) 2 (PW 9 O 34 ) 2 ] molecule crucially guide the abundant Co 2 P/WC heterointerfaces down to atomic level. Meanwhile, MOFs cages can effectively encapsulate nanosized POMs at molecular level to control the size and dispersion of Co 2 P/WC nanoparticle , while carbon nanotubes (CNTs) enhance conductivity at nanoscale level. The interfacial electronic modulation between Co 2 P and WC lowering the energy barrier of the rate determining step , thus Co 2 P/ [email protected] /CNTs showed reasonable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and stability in all-pH media including sea water. This work provides a “bottom-up” synthetic strategy for confined heterostructures , thus offering the prospect for more efficient interfacial charge modulation.