A Pt-Co3O4-CD electrocatalyst with enhanced electrocatalytic performance and resistance to CO poisoning achieved by carbon dots and Co3O4 for direct methanol fuel cells

Highly efficient electrocatalysts remain huge challenges in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Here, a Pt-Co₃O₄-CDs/C composite was fabricated as an anode electrocatalyst with low Pt content (12 wt%) by using carbon dots (CDs) and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles as building blocks. The Pt-Co₃O₄-CDs/C composite catalyst shows a significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity (1393.3 mA mg^-1 Pt), durability (over 4000 s) and CO-poisoning tolerance. The superior catalytic activity should be attributed to the synergistic effect of CDs, Pt and Co₃O₄. Furthermore, the Pt-Co₃O₄-CDs/C catalyst was integrated into a single cell, which exhibits a maximum power density of 45.6 mW cm^-2, 1.7 times the cell based on the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst.

First principles study of bimetallic Ni13-nAgn nano-clusters (n = 0-13): Structural, mixing, electronic, and magnetic properties

Using spin polarized density functional theory based calculations, combined with ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, we carry out a systematic investigation of the bimetallic Ni_13-nAg_n nano-clusters, for all compositions. This includes prediction of the geometry, mixing behavior, and electronic properties. Our study reveals a tendency towards the formation of a core-shell like structure, following the rule of putting Ni in a high coordination site and Ag in a low coordination site. Our calculations predict negative mixing energies for the entire composition range, indicating mixing to be favored for the bimetallic small sized Ni-Ag clusters, irrespective of the compositions. The magic composition with the highest stability is found for the NiAg₁₂ alloy cluster. We investigate the microscopic origin of a core-shell like structure with negative mixing energy, in which the Ni-Ag inter-facial interaction is found to play a role. We also study the magnetic properties of the Ni-Ag alloy clusters. The Ni dominated magnetism consists of parallel alignment of Ni moments while the tiny moments on Ag align in anti-parallel to Ni moments. The hybridization with the Ag environment causes reduction of Ni moment.

Intermetallic Nanocrystals: Syntheses and Catalytic Applications

At the forefront of nanochemistry, there exists a research endeavor centered around intermetallic nanocrystals, which are unique in terms of long-range atomic ordering, well-defined stoichiometry, and controlled crystal structure. In contrast to alloy nanocrystals with no elemental ordering, it is challenging to synthesize intermetallic nanocrystals with a tight control over their size and shape. Here, recent progress in the synthesis of intermetallic nanocrystals with controllable sizes and well-defined shapes is highlighted. A simple analysis and some insights key to the selection of experimental conditions for generating intermetallic nanocrystals are presented, followed by examples to highlight the viable use of intermetallic nanocrystals as electrocatalysts or catalysts for various reactions, with a focus on the enhanced performance relative to their alloy counterparts that lack elemental ordering. Within the conclusion, perspectives on future developments in the context of synthetic control, structure-property relationships, and applications are discussed.

Single Crystalline Ultrathin Nickel-Cobalt Alloy Nanosheets Array for Direct Hydrazine Fuel Cells

Ultrathin 2D metal alloy nanomaterials have great potential applications but their controlled syntheses are limited to few noble metal based systems. Herein Ni x Co1-x alloy nanosheets with ultrathin (sub-3 nm) single-crystalline 2D structure are synthesized through a topochemical reduction method. Moreover, the optimized composition Ni0.6Co0.4 alloy nanosheets array exhibits excellent performances for hydrazine oxidation reaction and direct hydrazine fuel cells.

A quasi-hexagonal prism-shaped carbon nitride for photoreduction of carbon dioxide under visible light

A quasi-hexagonal prism-shaped carbon nitride (H-C₃N₄) was synthesized from urea-derived C₃N₄ (U-C₃N₄) using an alkaline hydrothermal process. U-C₃N₄ decomposition followed by hydrogen bond rearrangement of hydrolyzed products leads to the formation of a quasi-hexagonal prism-shaped structure. The H-C₃N₄ catalysts displayed superior activity in the photoreduction of CO₂ with H₂O compared to U-C₃N₄. The enhanced photocatalytic activities can be attributed to the promotion of incompletely coordinated nitrogen atom formation in the C₃N₄ molecules. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Efficient oxygen reduction catalysis by subnanometer Pt alloy nanowires

The common knowledge is that Pt and Pt alloy nanoparticles (NPs) less than 2 nm are not desirable for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, whether the same trend is expected in Pt-based nanowires (NWs) and nanoplates remains questionable because there is no scalable approach to make such Pt nanostructures. We report a general approach for preparing subnanometer Pt alloy NWs with a diameter of only 4 to 5 atomic layer thickness, ranging from monometallic Pt NWs to bimetallic PtNi and PtCo NWs and to trimetallic PtNiCo NWs. In a sharp contrast to Pt alloy NPs, the subnanometer Pt alloy NWs demonstrate exceptional mass and specific activities of 4.20 A/mg and 5.11 mA/cm² at 0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), respectively, 32.3 and 26.9 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C. Density functional theory simulations reveal that the enhanced ORR activities are attributed to the catalytically active sites on high-density (111) facets in the subnanometer Pt alloy NWs. They are also very stable under the ORR condition with negligible activity decay over the course of 30,000 cycles. Our work presents a new approach to maximize Pt catalytic efficiency with atomic level utilization for efficient heterogeneous catalysis and beyond.

Tuning Surface Structure and Strain in Pd-Pt Core-Shell Nanocrystals for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

Icosahedral, octahedral, and cubic Pd@Pt core-shell nanocrystals with two atomic Pt layers are epitaxially generated under thermodynamic control. Such icosahedra exhibit remarkably enhanced catalytic properties for oxygen reduction reaction compared to the octahedra and cubes as well as commercial Pt/C, which can be attributed to ligand and geometry effects, especially twin-induced strain effect that is revealed by geometrical phase analysis.

Improved ethanol electrooxidation performance by shortening Pd-Ni active site distance in Pd-Ni-P nanocatalysts

Incorporating oxophilic metals into noble metal-based catalysts represents an emerging strategy to improve the catalytic performance of electrocatalysts in fuel cells. However, effects of the distance between the noble metal and oxophilic metal active sites on the catalytic performance have rarely been investigated. Herein, we report on ultrasmall (∼5 nm) Pd–Ni–P ternary nanoparticles for ethanol electrooxidation. The activity is improved up to 4.95 A per mg_Pd, which is 6.88 times higher than commercial Pd/C (0.72 A per mg_Pd), by shortening the distance between Pd and Ni active sites, achieved through shape transformation from Pd/Ni–P heterodimers into Pd–Ni–P nanoparticles and tuning the Ni/Pd atomic ratio to 1:1. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the improved activity and stability stems from the promoted production of free OH radicals (on Ni active sites) which facilitate the oxidative removal of carbonaceous poison and combination with CH₃CO radicals on adjacent Pd active sites.

Incorporating oxophilic metals into noble metal catalysts can improve electrocatalytic performance; however, the influence of the distance between noble metal and oxophilic metal active site is not well understood. Here the authors make Pd–Ni–P nanocatalysts for ethanol oxidation, with improved performance achieved by shortening the Pd–Ni distance.

One-step synthesis of ultrathin PtxPb nerve-like nanowires as robust catalysts for enhanced methanol electrooxidation

Ultrathin Pt_xPb nerve-like nanowires (NNWs) with a diameter of only around 3.6 nm were synthesized by a one-step wet-chemical strategy, and they served as robust catalysts for greatly enhancing methanol electrooxidation both under acidic and alkaline conditions. Due to the high CO-poisoning tolerance, superior electrocatalytic activity and stability endowed by the Pt-Pb alloyed composition and the unique structure, the Pt_3.5Pb NNWs showed the highest specific activity of 2.78 mA cm^-2 in acidic media and 6.51 mA cm^-2 in alkaline media toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), which are 5.24 and 4.12 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C catalysts, respectively. Meanwhile, the demonstrated synthetic strategy for Pt-Pb nanocrystals may stimulate more inspiration and strategies of the novel metal-based nanocrystals for promising applications in electrocatalysis.

Co-N-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Hollow Spheres as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Rational design of cost-effective, nonprecious metal-based catalysts with desirable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance is extremely important for future fuel cell commercialization, etc. Herein, a new type of ORR catalyst of Co-N-doped mesoporous carbon hollow sphere (Co-N-mC) was developed by pyrolysis from elaborately fabricated polystyrene@polydopamine-Co precursors. The obtained catalysts with active Co sites distributed in highly graphitized mesoporous N-doped carbon hollow spheres exhibited outstanding ORR activity with an onset potential of 0.940 V, a half-wave potential of 0.851 V, and a small Tafel slope of 45 mV decade^-1 in 0.1 m KOH solution, which was comparable to that of the Pt/C catalyst (20%, Alfa). More importantly, they showed superior durability with little current decline (less than 4%) in the chronoamperometric evaluation over 60 000 s. These features make the Co-N-mC one of the best nonprecious-metal catalysts to date for ORR in alkaline condition.

Facile synthesis and heteroepitaxial growth mechanism of Au@Cu core–shell bimetallic nanocubes probed by first-principles studies

This work provided a facile strategy for the synthesis of Au@Cu core–shell nanostructures. The proposed growth mechanism was probed by a first-principles investigation.

Freestanding CuS nanowalls: ionic liquid-assisted synthesis and prominent catalytic performance for the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Freestanding CuS nanowalls, with excellent catalytic activity for AP thermal decomposition, were grown and assembled at the [C₁₀mim]Br-modulated liquid–liquid interface.

Synthesis of PtM (M=Co, Ni)/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

A series of PtM (M=Co, Ni)/reduced graphene oxide (rG-O) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of PtM/rG-O nanocomposites were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and the rotating disk electrode method. The results show that the addition of the reductant (1,2-hexadecanediol, HAD) in the reaction system slightly improved the ORR activity of PtM/rG-O nanocomposites with a negligible influence on the size and morphology of alloy NPs. Furthermore, PtNi/rG-O nanocomposites displayed the higher electrochemical stability than PtCo/rG-O nanocomposites. These results provide a facile strategy for the synthesis of Pt-based alloy NPs/rG-O nanocomposites for applications in catalysis and energy-related processes.

One-Pot Fabrication of Hollow and Porous Pd-Cu Alloy Nanospheres and Their Remarkably Improved Catalytic Performance for Hexavalent Chromium Reduction

Noble metal nanostructures (NMNSs) play a crucial role in many heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Hollow and porous NMNSs possess generally prominent advantages over their solid counterparts due to their unordinary structural features. In this work, we describe a facial one-pot synthesis of hollow and porous Pd-Cu alloy nanospheres (Pd-Cu HPANSs) through a polyethylenimine (PEI)-assisted oxidation-dissolution mechanism. The strong coordination interaction between Cu^II and PEI facilitates the oxidation-dissolution of the Cu₂O nanospheres template under air conditions, which is responsible for the generation of the Pd-Cu alloy and the convenient removal of the Cu₂O nanospheres template at room temperature. Compared to the commercial Pd black, the Pd-Cu HPANSs show remarkably improved catalytic activity for the reduction of K₂Cr₂O₇ by HCOOH at room temperature, attributing to the enhanced catalytic activity of the Pd-Cu HPANSs for the dehydrogenation decomposition of HCOOH.

Porous AgPt@Pt Nanooctahedra as an Efficient Catalyst toward Formic Acid Oxidation with Predominant Dehydrogenation Pathway

For direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs), the dehydrogenation pathway is a desired reaction pathway, to boost the overall cell efficiency. Elaborate composition tuning and nanostructure engineering provide two promising strategies to design efficient electrocatalysts for DFAFCs. Herein, we present a facile synthesis of porous AgPt bimetallic nanooctahedra with enriched Pt surface (denoted as AgPt@Pt nanooctahedra) by a selective etching strategy. The smart integration of geometric and electronic effect confers a substantial enhancement of desired dehydrogenation pathway as well as electro-oxidation activity for the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). We anticipate that the obtained nanocatalyst may hold great promises in fuel cell devices, and furthermore, the facile synthetic strategy demonstrated here can be extendable for the fabrication of other multicomponent nanoalloys with desirable morphologies and enhanced electrocatalytic performances.

2D Metals by Repeated Size Reduction

A general and convenient strategy for manufacturing freestanding metal nanolayers is developed on large scale. By the simple process of repeatedly folding and calendering stacked metal sheets followed by chemical etching, free-standing 2D metal (e.g., Ag, Au, Fe, Cu, and Ni) nanosheets are obtained with thicknesses as small as 1 nm and with sizes of the order of several micrometers.

Self-Supported Mesostructured Pt-Based Bimetallic Nanospheres Containing an Intermetallic Phase as Ultrastable Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

Developing highly active and stable cathode catalysts is of pivotal importance for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). While carbon-supported nanostructured Pt-based catalysts have so far been the most active cathode catalysts, their durability and single-cell performance are yet to be improved. Herein, self-supported mesostructured Pt-based bimetallic (Meso-PtM; M = Ni, Fe, Co, Cu) nanospheres containing an intermetallic phase are reported, which can combine the beneficial effects of transition metals (M), an intermetallic phase, a 3D interconnected framework, and a mesoporous structure. Meso-PtM nanospheres show enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, compared to Pt black and Pt/C catalysts. Notably, Meso-PtNi containing an intermetallic phase exhibits ultrahigh stability, showing enhanced ORR activity even after 50 000 potential cycles, whereas Pt black and Pt/C undergo dramatic degradation. Importantly, Meso-PtNi with an intermetallic phase also demonstrated superior activity and durability when used in a PEMFC single-cell, with record-high initial mass and specific activities.

Rational design and synthesis of noble-metal nanoframes for catalytic and photonic applications

Nanoframes are unique for their 3D, highly open architecture. When made of noble metals, they are attractive for use as heterogeneous catalysts because of their large specific surface areas, high densities of catalytically active sites and low vulnerability toward sintering. They promise to enhance the catalytic activity and durability while reducing the material loading and cost. For nanoframes composed of Au and/or Ag, they also exhibit highly tunable plasmonic properties similar to those of nanorods. This article presents a brief account of recent progress in the design, synthesis and utilization of noble-metal nanoframes. We start with a discussion of the synthetic strategies, including those involving site-selected deposition and etching, as well as dealloying of both hollow and solid nanocrystals. We then highlight some of the applications enabled by noble-metal nanoframes. Finally, we discuss the challenges and trends with regard to future development.

Pt skin on Pd-Co-Zn/C ternary nanoparticles with enhanced Pt efficiency toward ORR

Exploring highly active, stable and relatively low-cost nanomaterials for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of vital importance for the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, a highly active, durable, carbon supported, and monolayer Pt coated Pd-Co-Zn nanoparticle is synthesized via a simple impregnation-reduction method, followed by spontaneous displacement of Pt. By tuning the atomic ratios, we obtain the composition-activity volcano curve for the Pd-Co-Zn nanoparticles and determined that Pd : Co : Zn = 8 : 1 : 1 is the optimal composition. Compared with pure Pd/C, the Pd8CoZn/C nanoparticles show a substantial enhancement in both the catalytic activity and the durability toward the ORR. Moreover, the durability and activity are further enhanced by forming a Pt skin on Pd8CoZn/C nanocatalysts. Interestingly, after 10 000 potential cycles in N2-saturated 0.1 M HClO4 solution, Pd8CoZn@Pt/C shows improved mass activity (2.62 A mg(-1)Pt) and specific activity (4.76 A m(-2)total), which are about 1.4 and 4.4 times higher than the initial values, and 37.4 and 5.5 times higher than those of Pt/C catalysts, respectively. After accelerated stability testing in O2-saturated 0.1 M HClO4 solution for 30 000 potential cycles, the half-wave potential negatively shifts about 6 mV. The results show that the Pt skin plays an important role in enhancing the activity as well as preventing degradation.

Simultaneous tunable structure and composition of PtAg alloyed nanocrystals as superior catalysts

PtAg alloyed nanostructural catalysts were firstly prepared by co-reduction of AgNO3 and H2PtCl6 precursors in growth solution using a seed-mediated method. By simply changing the molar ratio of the metal precursors, the morphologies of the porous alloyed nanocrystals can be tuned from multipetals to multioctahedra. Simultaneously, the alloy composition can be varied from Pt76Ag24 to Pt66Ag34. The catalytic properties of the prepared PtAg alloyed nanocrystals with a tunable structure and composition were tentatively examined by choosing the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with NaBH4. The reaction rate normalized to the concentration of catalysts was calculated to be 318.9 s(-1) mol(-1) L and 277.4 s(-1) mol(-1) L for Pt70Ag30 and Pt66Ag34 porous catalysts, which is much higher than the pure Pt catalysts. Moreover, PtAg nanostructures can also serve as efficient electrocatalysts toward the methanol oxidation reaction, especially for Pt70Ag30 and Pt66Ag34 porous nanocrystals. The electrocatalytic activity and the durability were both highly enhanced compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. In addition, we also investigated the enhancement mechanism.

Alloyed Crystalline Au-Ag Hollow Nanostructures with High Chemical Stability and Catalytic Performance

For bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs), the degree of alloying is beginning to be recognized as a significant factor affecting the NP properties. Here, we report an alloyed crystalline Au-Ag hollow nanostructure that exhibits a high catalytic performance, as well as structural and chemical stability. The Au-Ag alloyed hollow and porous nanoshell structures (HPNSs) with different morphologies and subnanoscale crystalline structures were synthesized by adjusting the size of the sacrificial Ag NPs via a galvanic replacement reaction. The catalytic activities of the nanomaterials were evaluated by the model reaction of the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol by NaBH4 to p-aminophenol. The experimental results show that the subnanoscale crystalline structure of the Au-Ag bimetallic HPNSs has much greater significance than the apparent morphology does in determining the catalytic ability of the nanostructures. The Au-Ag alloyed HPNSs with better surface crystalline alloying microstructures and open morphologies were found to exhibit much higher catalytic reaction rates and better cyclic usage efficiencies, probably because of the better dispersion of active Au atoms within these materials. These galvanic replacement-synthesized alloyed Au-Ag HPNSs, fabricated by a facile method that avoids Ag degradation, have potential applications in catalysis, nanomedicine (especially in drug/gene delivery and cancer theranostics), and biosensing.

Engineering Metallic Nanoparticles for Enhancing and Probing Catalytic Reactions

Recent developments in tailoring the structural and chemical properties of colloidal metal nanoparticles (NPs) have led to significant enhancements in catalyst performance. Controllable colloidal synthesis has also allowed tailor-made NPs to serve as mechanistic probes for catalytic processes. The innovative use of colloidal NPs to gain fundamental insights into catalytic function will be highlighted across a variety of catalytic and electrocatalytic applications. The engineering of future heterogenous catalysts is also moving beyond size, shape and composition considerations. Advancements in understanding structure-property relationships have enabled incorporation of complex features such as tuning surface strain to influence the behavior of catalytic NPs. Exploiting plasmonic properties and altering colloidal surface chemistry through functionalization are also emerging as important areas for rational design of catalytic NPs. This news article will highlight the key developments and challenges to the future design of catalytic NPs.

RhCu 3D Nanoframe as a Highly Active Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction under Alkaline Condition

One pot synthesis of RhCu alloy truncated octahedral nanoframes, Cu@Rh core-shell nanoparticles, and a bundle of five RhCu nanowires is demonstrated. The RhCu alloy 3D nanoframe, in particular, exhibits excellent catalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions.

Promoting visible light-driven hydrogen evolution over CdS nanorods using earth-abundant CoP as a cocatalyst

Exploiting earth-abundant cocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is of great interest.

One-pot synthesis of lotus-shaped Pd–Cu hierarchical superstructure crystals for formic acid oxidation

Lotus-shaped Pd–Cu hierarchical superstructure crystals with enhanced electrocatalytic properties toward HCOOH oxidation were successfully synthesized through an aqueous solution method.

Unconventional synthesis of Cu–Au dendritic nanowires with enhanced electrochemical activity

Cu–Au dendritic nanowires were obtained in high yield with enhanced electrochemical activity and potential application in glucose detection.

A porous ternary PtPdCu alloy with a spherical network structure for electrocatalytic methanol oxidation

A porous ternary alloy Pt₅PdCu₅ was prepared, which exhibits a unique spherical network structure with a high specific surface area of 86.9 m² g⁻¹ and enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation.

Gold-plated silver nanoparticles engineered for sensitive plasmonic detection amplified by morphological changes

Morphological changes of gold-plated silver nanoparticles enhance SPR sensing.

Tuning the composition of gold–silver bimetallic nanoparticles for the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide and nitrobenzene

Gold@silver core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized by galvanic displacement reaction and modified on glassy carbon electrode for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and nitrobenzene.

Unravelling the promoting effect of the ultrathin TaC/RGO nanosheet hybrid for enhanced catalytic activity of Pd nanoparticles

A novel two-dimensional ultrathin TaC/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheet hybrid was employed as a co-catalyst to Pd nanoparticles (Pd/TaC-G).

Superior anti-CO poisoning capability: Au-decorated PtFe nanocatalysts for high-performance methanol oxidation

A surface-engineering strategy is utilized to improve the anti-CO poisoning capability of PtFeAu nanocatalysts, resulting in their high-performance methanol oxidation.

Controlling the selectivity of catalytic oxidation of styrene over nanocluster catalysts

The water is discovered to control the selectivity by changing the surface composition of Au nanocluster or the valence state of Ag nanocluster.

Effect of metal alloying on morphology and catalytic activity of platinum-based nanostructured thin films in methanol oxidation reaction

In this paper, alloy thin films with a high degree of alloying were synthesized through a liquid–liquid interface method showing remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation reaction.

Three-dimensional highly branched Pd3Cu alloy multipods as enhanced electrocatalysts for formic acid oxidation

Pd₃Cu alloy multipods with three-dimensional highly branched morphology were synthesized, which presents enhanced catalytic performance toward formic acid oxidation.

Galvanic replacement synthesis of Ag x Au1-x @CeO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) core@shell nanospheres with greatly enhanced catalytic performance

A galvanic replacement strategy has been successfully adopted to design Ag x Au1-x @CeO2 core@shell nanospheres derived from Ag@CeO2 ones. After etching using HAuCl4, the Ag core was in situ replaced with Ag x Au1-x alloy nanoframes, and void spaces were left under the CeO2 shell. Among the as-prepared Ag x Au1-x @CeO2 catalysts, Ag0.64Au0.36@CeO2 shows the optimal catalytic performance, whose catalytic efficiency reaches even 2.5 times higher than our previously reported Pt@CeO2 nanospheres in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by ammonia borane (AB). Besides, Ag0.64Au0.36@CeO2 also exhibits a much lower 100% conversion temperature of 120 °C for catalytic CO oxidation compared with the other samples.

Urchin-like CoP Nanocrystals as Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Oxygen Reduction Reaction Dual-Electrocatalyst with Superior Stability

High-performance electrocatalysts with superior stability are critically important for their practical applications in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report a facile method to fabricate urchin-like CoP nanocrystals (NCs) as catalyst for both HER and ORR with desirable electrocatalytic activities and long-term stability. The urchin-like CoP NCs with a diameter of 5 μm were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal reaction following a phosphidation treatment in N2 atmosphere and present excellent HER catalytic performance with a low onset overpotential of 50 mV, a small Tafel slope of 46 mV/decade, and an exceptional low overpotential of ~180 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm(-2) with a mass loading density of 0.28 mg/cm(2). Meanwhile, a remarkable ORR catalytic activity was observed with a half-potential of 0.7 V and an onset potential of 0.8 V at 1600 rpm and a scan rate of 5 mV s(-1). More importantly, the urchin-like CoP NCs present superior stability and keep their catalytic activity for at least 10 000 CV cycles for HER in 0.5 M H2SO4 and over 30 000 s for ORR in 0.1 M KOH, which is ascribed to their robust three-dimensional structure. This urchin-like CoP NCs might be a promising replacement to the Pt-based electrocatalysts in water splitting and fuel cells.