<i>In Situ</i> Atomic-Scale Observation of Phase Evolution in Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: Nickel phosphides are promising earth-abundant, low-cost catalysts for hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions and CO₂ reduction. However, their formation mechanisms remain poorly understood and difficult to control. This particularly applies to mechanisms determining phase evolution, crystallinity, and morphology under reactive conditions, factors that critically influence catalytic activity and stability. Here, we employ environmental transmission electron microscopy to directly observe the conversion of nickel nanoparticles into nickel phosphide phases under controlled phosphine atmosphere and temperatures. A three-stage Ni-to-Ni₂P conversion sequence is observed: (i) surface nucleation, (ii) rapid particle-size expansion, and (iii) crystallographic restructuring and f

SUBMITTER: Sharma K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904070 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature