Electrochemical deposition of thin bifunctional Co-P films and investigation of their electrocatalytic and corrosion properties in the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Aygun Oruj Zeynalova Institute of Chemistry PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H. Javid 113, 1143, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4639-7157
  • Akif Shikhan Aliyev Institute of Chemistry PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H. Javid 113, 1143, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0560-5263
  • Ruhangiz Gurmuz Guseynova Institute of Chemistry PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H. Javid 113, 1143, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5838-071X
  • Ulviyya Magsud Gurbanova Institute of Chemistry PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H. Javid 113, 1143, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6239-3207
  • Natavan Sharafaddin Soltanova Institute of Chemistry PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H. Javid 113, 1143, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0469-2365
  • Samir Bahram Safarov Institute of Chemistry PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H. Javid 113, 1143, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3497-879X
  • Shafag Shamsaddin Bayramova Institute of Geology PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6375-3636
  • Telli Islam Hamzayeva Institute of Geology PLE, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2752-3089
  • Dunya Mahammad Babanly French-Azerbaijani University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Nizami str. 183, Baku, Azerbaijan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8330-7854

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3278

Keywords:

Transition metal phosphide, electrochemical codeposition, thin coating films, water electrolysis, electrocatalysis, corrosion resistance

Abstract

At present, the rapid growth of the global economy, together with the accelerated depletion of fossil fuel resources, has led to growing concerns about the availability and sustainability of energy. Therefore, renewable energy sources such as solar, hydrogen, and wind energy are of critical importance. Compared with other hydrogen production methods, water electrolysis offers several advantages, including sustainability, low cost, high efficiency, and the absence of harmful atmospheric emissions. In recent decades, water electrolysis as a hydrogen production technology has been extensively investigated. The development of new, efficient, and cost-effective electr­ocatalysts for water electrolysis remains a crucial challenge. Cobalt-phosphorus thin films are promising candidates for replacing expensive noble-metal-based electrocatalysts. In the present work, bifunctional Co-P thin films were synthesized via a one-step electrodeposition method from an acidic electrolyte. The as-deposited films were amorphous; however, after annealing, two ortho­rhombic phases, Co₂P and CoP, were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. The prepared films were characterized using X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic properties of the coatings were investigated before and after annealing in both neutral (0.5 M Na₂SO₄) and alkaline (1 M KOH) media for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. In addition, the corrosion behaviour of the Co-P thin films was examined, and it was established that the amorphous, non-annealed films exhibited superior corrosion resistance in alkaline media.

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References

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30-06-2026

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Vol. 16 (2026)

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Electrocatalysis

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Copyright (c) 2026 Aygun Oruj Zeynalova, Akif Shikhan Aliyev , Ruhangiz Gurmuz Guseynova, Ulviyya Magsud Gurbanova, Natavan Sharafaddin Soltanova , Samir Bahram Safarov, Shafag Shamsaddin Bayramova, Telli Islam Hamzayeva, Dunya Mahammad Babanly

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Electrochemical deposition of thin bifunctional Co-P films and investigation of their electrocatalytic and corrosion properties in the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction: Original scientific paper. (2026). Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 16, Article 3278. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3278

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