@article{Yan2018, author = {Ya Yan and Xue Rong Shi and Mao Miao and Ting He and Ze Hua Dong and Ke Zhan and Jun He Yang and Bin Zhao and Bao Yu Xia}, title = {Bio-inspired design of hierarchical FeP nanostructure arrays for the hydrogen evolution reaction}, year = {2018}, journal = {Nano Research}, volume = {11}, number = {7}, pages = {3537-3547}, keywords = {hydrogen evolution, bio-inspired mineralization, phosphorization, FeP array, density functional theory(DFT) calculations}, url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1007/s12274-017-1919-2}, doi = {10.1007/s12274-017-1919-2}, abstract = {Hierarchical FeP nanoarray films composed of FeP nanopetals were successfully synthesized via a bio-inspired hydrothermal route followed by phosphorization. Glycerol, as a crystal growth modifier, plays a significant role in controlling the morphology and structure of the FeO(OH) precursor during the biomineralization process, while the following transfer and pseudomorphic transformation of the FeO(OH) film successfully give rise to the FeP array film. The as-prepared FeP film electrodes exhibit excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance over a wide pH range. Theoretical calculations reveal that the mixed P/Fe termination in the FeP film is responsible for the high catalytic activity of the nanostructured electrodes. This new insight will promote further explorations of efficient metal phosphoride-based catalysts for the HER. More importantly, this study bridges the gap between biological and inorganic self-assembling nanosystems and may open up a new avenue for the preparation of functional nanostructures with application in energy devices.} }