A Trimetallic Cobalt/Iron/Nickel Phytate Catalyst for Overall Water Splitting: Fabrication by Magnetic-Field-Assisted Bipolar Electrodeposition.

Electrodeposition is an effective method to prepare various materials. We have established a bipolar electrodeposition system assisted by a constant magnetic field to fabricate a Co/Fe/Ni phytate catalyst with good electrocatalytic activity for overall water splitting. The effects of magnetic and electric fields on the catalytic properties of the material were studied. The catalyst prepared with an N-pole magnetic field (NPMF) exhibited good overall water splitting performance. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the Co/Fe/Ni-phytate and the advantages of the N-pole magnetic field the NPMF electrode has a continuous 25 hours high-efficiency hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reaction at a current density of 100 mA cm-2 in1.0 M KOH compared with commercial RuO2 and Pt/C. Bipolar electrodeposition with a constant magnetic field is thus an efficient means to fabricate electrocatalytic water splitting catalysts.